Suggests that equitable funding for public schools can help effectively reduce disparities in socio-economic conditions between urban and rural areas. Advocates the earmarking of a greater portion of general revenue sharing funds. Available from: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rm. 456 GHI Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. (JD)

A method of preventing attrition in high school and college therapy groups emphasizes realistic goals. A personal commitment form allows students to choose their own goals and suggests how the group could help. Records show that with this method, the attrition rate dropped from 25% to 3%. (JAC)

From a report of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, presents the ingredients for a development program to help the world's poorest countries and people meet basic human needs. The program should include provisions for productivity and employment, food security, health services, lower rates of population growth, and…

Peer counselors (N=16) trained in human relations techniques, group dynamics, and decision-making skills conducted small groups with 122 potential dropouts. A five-way factorial multivariate analysis showed significant improvement in counselee attendance and decisiveness over the control groups, but results were inconclusive in demonstrating the…

Although NAFTA has proven profitable for U.S. growers who have relocated agricultural production to Mexico, it has helped create an economic crisis that has forced thousands of Mexican children to leave school in order to work and supplement their parents' shrinking income. In Mexicali Valley (Baja California), approximately a fourth of the…

Results from 4,679 subjects tested in seventh grade and as young adults suggest a negative effect of not graduating from high school on psychological functioning for male and female students in the full sample and in the sample (1,871) who did not go on to college. (SLD)

Investigated the causation hypothesis (unemployment leads to poor mental health), and the selection hypothesis (poor mental health reduces employment) in a longitudinal study of 635 college graduates and 767 school leavers. Results confirmed the causation hypothesis for school-leavers but not college graduates. Employment and further education…

This study examined state-by-state variation in high school completion rates and the impact of state-level child disability, demographic, and economic factors upon completion by diploma or certificate for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED). Variables examined included ethnicity, geographic region, per capita personal income, per pupil…

Examined teacher risk taking during the development of a school-within-a-school program in a Professional Development School, targeting sophomores at high risk for dropping out. Findings indicated that a psychology of risk-taking behavior provided a useful lens for understanding teacher risk-taking in this context and that the three essential…

Supported by Saint Paul and the Northern States Power Company, two Minnesota secondary teachers developed a pilot program, the Power League, aimed at returning 16- to 21-year olds to school. The City Academy grew out of students' requests for individual learning plans, an intimate learning community, and a sound school restructuring rationale.…

Analyzes household and school survey data from poor counties in six Chinese provinces to examine the effects of poverty, intra-household decision-making, and school quality on educational investments and learning outcomes. Finds, for example, that being poor and credit-constrained does not significantly affect learning in school (as measured by…

An African program for high-risk college students focusing on aspects of the learning context, including the student-teacher relationship, perceptions of textbooks and notes, and the nature and role of tests, resulted in improvements in student attitudes, quality of learning, and academic performance. Implications for college teaching are…

Two models are presented, which depict dropping out as a developmental process that may begin in the earliest grades. The frustration-self-esteem model focuses on school failure and student rejection of or by a school. The participation-identification model focuses on student involvement in schooling, with behavioral and emotional components. (TJH)

Describes an experimental, team-taught, low level ninth grade English class which emphasized writing. Discusses students, their writing, the use of journal writing, ability grouping, and what the classroom environment was like. Notes that students improved in all their other classes during the semester they spent in this class. (SR)

Presents edited transcript of a conference that examined how computer technology can be effective in helping at-risk students. Highlights include defining at-risk students; examples of how technologies are being used as intervention tools; adult education programs; software; how the industry can help educators; and policy recommendations. (LRW)