This paper addresses the preparation of teachers to work with students who are both handicapped and at greater than average risk for dropping out of school. The paper describes teacher training program components including teacher/mentor skills training, academic and vocational skills training, interpersonal skills training, and parent involvement…

In the 1991 Gallup Poll, Americans overwhelmingly supported a strong educational system as fundamental to national well-being. Respondents' opinions were more divided about achievement of national education goals, accountability measures, expanded school schedules, publicly supported preschools, a national curriculum, school choice, teacher pay…

To reduce student depression and its academic consequences, a preventive training program for freshmen provided one group (n=85) with a semester-long course in personal competencies (affect management, self-control, social skills, and problem solving), and one group (n=86) with an academic skills course. Both groups were equally effective.…

Reviews conditions in the environment that put the children of Hispanic migrant workers at risk for developing physical and cognitive disabilities. These include inadequate environmental protection, poor housing, and lack of access to health care and community resources. Strategies to facilitate positive change for farm worker families and…

Tests predictions that students with high levels of "intergenerational closure" (whose parents know many of their friends' parents) will do better academically than those who do not. Finds that closure is positively associated with mathematics achievement, but not significantly associated with 12th-grade grades; closure is negatively…

Details important lessons learned while attempting research and evaluation efforts in a school-based drop-out prevention program. The challenges of working with school systems, lessons about training, timing, and research as a developmental process are discussed. (Author/EMK)

Studied the effects on self-esteem of an intervention that rewarded students who stayed in school with a trip to Africa. Ten urban high school students who completed the program and took the trip to Ghana showed improved self-esteem following the cross-cultural experience. (SLD)

Predominantly black rural counties, located in the South, are among the poorest in the nation. Manufacturing has long been an important source of job growth in these counties, but the skill demands of new technology put these populations at a disadvantage. The poor quality of local schools and high dropout rates are major problems in predominantly…

Describes a community-initiated study of student motivational influences in Fountain Hills Unified School District (Arizona), which receives Yavapai students from nearby Fort McDowell Indian Community. Discusses collaboration between the school district and Indian community, quantitative results on student motivation and long-term effects of high…

Compares alcohol use among Mexican-American and White non-Hispanic school dropouts, and among students in good academic standing. Results indicate that dropouts are at a higher risk for alcohol use and misuse. Discusses implications in terms of prevalence and prevention. (Author/GCP)

Provides a brief review of legal procedures that schools have available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, and discusses problems with using suspension and expulsion, including recidivism, increased dropout rates, overrepresentation of minorities receiving suspension or expulsion, and indiscriminate…

Describes a workshop at the University of Hawaii at Manoa targeted at students overcoming academic difficulties and readmitted after a one-semester suspension. Participants are encouraged to use campus resources, make better decisions, and connect with other students and the institution. Preliminary evaluation suggests the workshop is an efficient…

Cross-section analysis of mean 8th grade NAEP math scores and SAT-I scores found that New York State students (who take Regents exams) were one grade level equivalent ahead than might be expected, given their socioeconomic background, compared to students in other states. Dropout rates were comparable. (Contains 27 references.) (MLH)

Describes the Posse Foundation program which sends "posses" of 10 carefully chosen graduates from inner-city high schools, en masse, to selective private colleges seeking a more diversified student population. Reports that in the past 10 years, almost 90 percent of Posse students have graduated within five years. Also identifies problems, such as…

Summarizes findings of two upcoming reports on programs that support and strengthen the academic achievement of under-represented student groups at both K-12 and postsecondary levels. The most successful programs at both K-12 and postsecondary levels were those which were comprehensive, extended over a long period of time, and bridged educational…