The authors of EC 610 841 comment on problems encountered in their research, such as difficulties in analyzing interview data, and discuss their ongoing three-year study of personal and environmental influences affecting attrition of special education teachers. (DB)

Drawing on data from a national longitudinal study (n=12,841), research examined the relationship of activities after college, particularly among students who spent the first year after college neither working nor in school, to later life. Results indicate that neither working nor attending school during this year had neither strong nor consistent…

A method is presented for extending full versus restricted model testing to predictive discriminant analysis when the criterion of model accuracy is classification hit rate. An example is presented involving the dropout or school persistence of 76 5th graders, and a computer program for the analysis is introduced. (SLD)

This literature review demonstrates that dropouts follow a similar though inverse path compared to students who have attained academic excellence. Descriptions of at-risk students' characteristics lead to a discussion of the "loser's circle" of dropping out and strategies for attaining a "winner's circle" of academic excellence. (71 references)…

Profiles Archer Poor, a self-taught amateur archaeologist and camp manager in rural Maine. Describes his archeological work on Indian artifacts and its significance to professional scientists. Describes his discovery-learning approach to raising children. Emphasizes importance of patience, persistence, parent influence, and library research in…

Among 161 Hispanic clients in the community mental health system of Seattle-King County (Washington), the dropout rate (after 1 session) was lower, and number of therapy sessions was greater for those who received services from Hispanic staff or at a Hispanic community mental health center than those who received services from non-Hispanic staff…

A study of two adult basic education centers compared 17 reluctant learners (early dropouts) with 20 persisters and found that, although reluctant learners value education, they have negative attitudes and experiences of schooling and drop out because of dissatisfaction with the lack of challenge and attention they receive. (SK)

A survey of 169 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) employed in rural public schools examined reasons why SLPs opt to remain in rural settings. Three of the most important reasons for continued employment were related to salary, vacation, and support for continuing education. Includes the questionnaire and response rates. (KS)

New teachers often enter the profession expecting to accomplish what the veteran teacher has been doing for years, with equal success and equal lack of support. A survey of South Carolina school districts shows that curriculum, instruction, and classroom management techniques are omitted from many teacher induction programs. Ameliorative…

A University of North Carolina (Charlotte) program provides tutorial services to students in certain high-risk courses. Participants from 1988-89 earned higher final grades and had fewer lower grades and withdrawals than nonparticipants, despite lower predicted academic potential and industriousness at the time of college entry. (Author/MSE)

A study integrated the major propositions of 2 theories of college persistence (Tinto's and Bean's) and used the resulting framework to survey a population of 466 first-year college students at 1 university. Findings supported most of the hypothesized links between the models and revealed a complex role for environmental factors in retention.…

Discussion of users' persistence in scanning displays of postings on computer-driven information systems focuses on a study of the Library Computer System (LCS) in Illinois, an online library system that provides access to an academic library collection. The use of transaction log analysis is described and results are analyzed. (12 references)…

Tested the relationship and predictive qualities of three sets of efficacy beliefs. Results suggest that the three theoretically derived measures of relationship efficacy may help illuminate the psychological processes by which persons develop and maintain healthy and satisfying intimate relationships. (LLL)

Using recent personnel data for Washington State K-12 teachers, this study quantifies the relationships among teachers' personal and professional attributes; school districts' financial, institutional, and demographic characteristics; and the retention behavior of teachers employed by these districts. Teacher persistence is positively correlated…

A longitudinal study of 2100 high school students indicates a "window of opportunity" opens for individuals entering higher education immediately after high school. Students delaying college entry are less likely to attain a bachelor's degree. The finding is critical for students without characteristics to mediate the disadvantage of stopping out.…