In 5 years, the schools and community of Carrollton, Georgia, created a school systemwide network of 1,400 computers and 70 CD-ROMs connected by a fiber wide-area network to other city institutions and the Internet with grants from local, state, and national industry. After incorporating the new technologies into the curriculum, the dropout rate…

Examines the impact of demographic variables, high school and pre-transfer college academic characteristics, transfer student cohort, and post-transfer college academic characteristics on bachelor's degree completion. Reports that subjects included 1,327 transfer students, and that significant variables included cohort group and ethnicity.…

Junior high students who were at risk of dropping out of school (n=45) were taught using the Cognitive-Based Instructional System (CBIS). Positive cognitive skills change occurred in 38%; there were discrepancies between dropout prediction test results and teacher perceptions of students at risk; CBIS implementation would require a significant…

Describes nine facets of quality at-risk education programs that have been identified by the National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN): accelerated academic curriculum, strong literacy component, deliberate self-management program, personalized curriculum, project-experiential-work orientation, smaller school and class size, solid planning and…

Investigated the perceptions of school personnel regarding migrant students' educational experiences. Interviews with principals, teachers, and migrant advocates from high-migrant areas indicated that factors affecting migrant students' school performance included social prejudice, lack of communication between students and schools, mobility, lack…

Discusses how to improve student performance in distance learning courses, based on experiences at Purdue University, Calumet. Highlights include preventing student withdrawals; enrollments by discipline; course comparisons; course assessment; student evaluations of courses; testing; alleviating problems; e-mail; feedback; course management…

Examines a sample of 15 courses in relation to four variables of student characteristics: gender, ethnicity, age, and full- or part-time status. Presents findings from the transcript analyses of 6,196 first-semester students from nine urban colleges, which reveal the strongest relations between curriculum and ethnicity. (Contains seven tables and…

A study involving 185 high school students with learning disabilities explored their views of high school. While participants enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with peers, they found specific classes boring or too difficult. Participants were much more likely to report advantages to staying in school than disadvantages. Recommendations are…

Profiles Clay County (West Virginia) High School, example of U.S. School of Excellence in rural, poverty area. Explains positive role of school principal. Details successful attendance incentives and dropout program. Describes examples of community involvement. (TES)

A questionnaire was used to measure the nature, strength, generality and persistence of students' perceived problems with academic success. Subjects were Black students (N=90) at the University of Witwatersrand (South Africa). The results are compared with a study conducted at the University of Zambia in 1984. (Author/MLW)

Eighty-six "at-risk" students (aged 14-16) participated in an 8-week program of immersion in vocational training, academics, counseling, recreation, and performing arts. Students improved in academic areas and in their understanding of the world of work, but self-concept measures showed a decline and the program's impact on dropout likelihood was…

Discusses findings from a survey of students who attended Montana's tribally controlled community colleges from 1981 to 1985, investigating influences on college choice, personal and educational goals upon enrolling, whether the college assisted students in meeting their goals, and the degree of student satisfaction with programs and services.…

This paper discusses the responsibility of providing a quality education to all individuals, examines the role the community college can play in meeting the educational and social needs of dropouts, and presents an innovative program at a community college that has been particularly effective in meeting the needs of dropouts. (Author/MLW)

A model of drop-out from distance education is proposed. The longitudinal model is developed from Tinto's model. It includes components for background characteristics, goal commitment, academic and social integration, and a cost/benefit analysis. Issues inherent in testing the model are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Although the Perkins Act was intended to expand access to vocational education for at risk populations and improve program quality, the regulatory and implementation process has done little to translate these goals into effective programs and services. This testimony presents findings and recommendations for reforming high school and postsecondary…