Issues pertaining to the retention of black students, particularly those attending predominantly white colleges and universities, are reviewed, based on a survey of the literature. Three categories of concerns were found in the literature: ways of conceiving black student retention; factors affecting retention; and strategies and remedies to…

Hearings on the difficulties experienced by Hispanic (Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American) students in entering postsecondary education and ways to assist this population are presented. According to testimony, several legislative programs designed to serve economically disadvantaged students have failed to reach Hispanic students,…

Data from the 1988 Phi Delta Kappa National Research Study on at-risk students were used in an analysis of variables associated with being classified as "at risk." The study collected information on over 22,000 at-risk and not-at-risk students from 274 schools and 9,600 teachers from across the United States. This analysis identified…

Issues surrounding the statewide competency testing of at-risk students are discussed. Sanctions, such as negative evaluations of educational programs associated with such tests, used to fall most heavily on schools and staff, but tests are increasingly becoming prerequisites for promotion and graduation, with increasing impact on students.…

The results of a 2-year study examining the ways that four major urban school systems (New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston) sort students into different schools, tracks, ability groups, and grade levels are summarized in this report. The study looked carefully at the effects of these sorting practices on low-income, minority, limited…

This paper provides summaries of 31 speeches presented at the conference. The theme of this conference was what is new, what is working, and what is happening within the North Central Region and across the country to aid the success of at-risk students. Speeches described specific programs that have been effective. Others covered relevant…

This report is based on the findings of the Los Angeles County Latino Assessment Study (LACLAS), which consulted with Latinos to determine the priorities, programs, and strategies for meeting the needs of their community in Los Angeles County (California). The study's main objective was to obtain information to assist governmental and…

In Connecticut, the state with the highest per capita income in the country, 110,000 children, or 14.5 percent of the population, live in poverty; 39,000 of these poor children are 5 years of age or younger. Further, 38.5 percent of Black children and 62.3 percent of Hispanic children in Connecticut live in poverty. Poverty and membership in a…

This paper argues that programs for at-risk youth tend to overemphasize student adjustment and the mastery of institutional customs at the expense of instilling learning dispositions that might lead to the postsecondary educational training now required to find adequate adult employment. Programs often focus on drawing students into a more…

The paper reports on a 1-year study of 44 gifted adolescent females who chose to complete high school and college in 5 years. The students in the special residential program at Mary Baldwin College in Virginia received personality and family adjustment measures at the beginning of the year. Results were compared to the students' later…

This document comprises an evaluation of the first-year implementation of the Junior High School Student Assistance Program (JHSSAP), a dropout prevention program of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). JHSSAP is comprised of the following components: (1) Extended Counseling (EC), providing 8 hours per week of auxiliary counseling at…

In 1989, a follow-up study of non-returning students who had attended Johnson County Community College (JCCC) during fall 1985, spring 1986, or summer 1986 was conducted to assess the former students' achievement of their educational goals. A target population of 7,910 long-term leavers was surveyed regarding their opinions and perceptions of…

In 1989, a study was conducted at Phoenix College to explore institutional turnover rates from the spring to the fall semester among part-time community college students. Surveys were administered in class during spring 1989 to a random sample of part-time, working students who were enrolled in 12 credit hours or less. Students were asked about…

This report describes and evaluates nine Chapter 2-funded programs in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District. The major positive findings were the following: (1) disciplinary actions have decreased since the implementation of Project ASSIST (Assisting Special Students in Stress Times); (2) extra transportation has allowed some reassigned…

In July 1969, an Israeli parliament decision instigated an educational reform focused on curriculum development, teacher education, new buildings, new equipment, and a change from 8 to 6 years in elementary school and from 4 to 6 years in secondary school. Dropouts, useless curricula, job market demands for better education, and integration and…