This paper on at-risk deaf adolescents discusses the social impact of school dropouts, causal and behavioral characteristics of at-risk persons, groups that tend to be affected, issues facing deaf adolescents including parent-child conflicts, the role of schools in addressing student alienation and motivation, and intervention recommendations.…

Describes a New York City high school's experience with Outward Bound, a cooperatively funded experiential learning program. Rock climbing was used to teach youngsters how to deal with the metaphorical walls facing everyone. The program's success (a 90% graduation rate) depended on faculty commitment, administrative support, motivated student…

When students help teach one another, active learning, listening, and a spirit of cooperation flourish. A reciprocal tutoring program in three New York City high schools allows all students to be tutors and learn through teaching and has all tutors experience the tutee/apprentice role. This experimental program had better achievement results than…

Examines the problem of high attrition rates after the introductory compulsory year for students studying languages other than English (LOTEs) in Australian high schools. A quantitative study is described that determined students' intentions to continue with language studies in the following year. Implications for LOTE teaching are discussed. (51…

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Graduate Scholars Program for minority students is supported by systems that create a social-psychological "comfort zone" for participating graduate students. The program encourages interdisciplinary cooperation and a balance between the disparate concerns and perspectives of the student and…

Interviews with 18 registered nurses elicited 7 themes describing participation in baccalaureate programs. Findings identified a new participation variable--commitment--and demonstrated the role of life transitions in making the time right to pursue a degree. Sources of power, load factors, and effect of margin size on persistence (McClusky's…

Comparison of 502 former and 148 active participants in a prevocational intervention for at-risk students and 157 at-risk nonparticipants found (1) comparable dropout rates, self-concept scores, and reading and math achievement; (2) decline in participants' grades and attendance after the program; and (3) higher degrees of internality in cognitive…

A study with follow-up interviews of services for homeless and mentally ill persons (original sample of 163) had a very high success rate of over 70% in tracking this difficult to locate population. Techniques for locating clients are presented, as identified by a focus group of five researchers. (SLD)

Alternative schools provide structured learning environment where students can continue their education and earn credit while learning academic and life skills. Survey of 45 at-risk students enrolled in alternative high school program showed greater satisfaction with alternative program than with a traditional high school program. Administrators…

A survey of 30 withdrawing students and 85 graduates of health professions schools of a Canadian university found that program and curriculum dissatisfaction, uncertainty about educational and occupational goals, and stress associated with the profession were the most important reasons for voluntary withdrawal. Dropouts were typically older,…

This article examines school dropout rates, the impact of dropouts on society, and the prevention of dropouts by early identification of "reluctant learners" and early instructional interventions that address motivation, self-concept, attention, and learning strategies. At the secondary level, intervention should focus on school conditions that…

Discusses issues in distance education for adults that can affect the welfare of others and suggests ethical sensitivity is needed. Ethical issues addressed include admission and retention of students; course development and presentation; program and course marketing; administrative issues; learner/instructor interaction; and evaluation. (29…

This article shows how the methods of survival analysis (also known as event history analysis) lend themselves to the study of the timing of educational events. Using examples from teacher attrition and student dropout research, survival methods are introduced for building statistical models of the risk of event occurrence over time. (Author/SLD)

Two hundred ninth-grade students with low grade point averages and high absenteeism rates were provided tutoring services, and their teachers were provided consultation to make the classroom environment less punitive. The classroom environment became more positive, more students completed assignments, and dropouts and suspensions decreased.…

This article reviews teaching strategies expected to be effective in alternative education programs for students at risk for school failure, dropout, and delinquency. The need for alternative education programs for students in both special and general education is discussed, along with recommended alternative education strategies and program…