The recent report of the Grant Foundation Commission on Youth and America's Future, "The Forgotten Half," concerning the high school graduates who do not go to college is discussed, focusing on the value society places on a college education. (MSE)

Homosexual middle schoolers are at risk of dropping out because of frequent discriminatory practices by teachers and students. After defining homosexuality, the article discusses homosexual adolescents and their developmental issues, noting implications and strategies for middle schools. Los Angeles' Project 10, which addresses the needs of…

Examines how school counselors can assist runaways. The authors focus on prevention, runaway programs, and how to expedite school reentry. Because school counselors invariably spend time with runaways, counselors can become more effective and efficient both in the short and long term in helping these troubled clients. (RJM)

Describes the rationale behind and creation of male academies as part of the Detroit (Michigan) public schools. Discusses opposition on the grounds of lack of educational equity for female students. Considers reasons why the academies will not compromise educational equity. (SLD)

The coordinator of a summer residential enrichment program for gifted Indian students reports their thoughts on Indian identity and peer and family pressures to suppress their abilities. Students outlined educational problems and solutions related to racial prejudice, high Indian dropout rates, few Indians in higher education, and high…

Effective, long-term dropout prevention will not occur without broad-based, indepth, and ongoing staff development that changes educators' behavior toward at-risk students. Staff development planners should recognize that students respond not to programs but to individualized, personally delivered solutions and assistance promoting youngsters'…

Presents a quantitative study of the development of a theoretical model of drop-outs from distance education courses. Data collected by the Distance Education Student Progress (DESP) questionnaire from 1,060 students in Hong Kong investigated how students were able to integrate demands of their academic course with those of families, employers,…

This paper examines progress made in educating adolescents with mild handicaps since implementation of Public Law 94-142, based on graduation rates of these students and their postschool outcomes. The paper then presents a model for restructuring special education programs to prepare youth for utilitarian, social, and personal roles. (JDD)

Using data from the High School and Beyond survey for 10,188 sophomores and 8,491 seniors, investigates the effect of spacing of births of siblings on high school attrition and postsecondary school attendance. Close spacing increases likelihood of dropping out of high school and decreases odds of attending postsecondary school. (SLD)

A one-semester, credit-bearing course for parents of Wichita State University freshmen improves retention because parents can help freshmen adjust to the university environment. The course provides information about the institution through monthly articles and cassette audiotapes. Parents receive identification cards and parking decals and may…

Describes a study conducted at Del Mar College (Texas) to provide the college with baseline data on its nonreturnees and to test the feasibility of gathering interview information over the phone. Defines relevant terms, outlines the data-gathering process, and presents study findings and recommendations regarding data collection and the focus of…

Two cohorts of students attending an alternative school for chronically disruptive youth received either the standard program or the standard program with additional family involvement. The experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in locus of control, grade point averages, attendance, and reduced dropout rate, relative…

A Tennessee district counsels seniors lacking sufficient credits to consider General Education Development (GED) tutoring. African-American females are generally "pulled out" by family reasons; African-American males feel "pushed out," following suspensions and expulsions. Potential dropouts are deterred by an alternative high school and a…

A survey of over 1,000 American Indian high school and college students and an equivalent sample of Indian adults over 35 examined knowledge of current events and Native history, political attitudes, attitudes toward Native leadership, family educational attainment, causes of Indian dropouts, role models, and attitudes toward Native values and…

A study examined the health service use of 5,088 West Virginia University freshmen and compared the use patterns of students who returned the next fall with those who did not return. Nonreturning students had a higher usage rate and were significantly different in the types of services needed. The influence of student health problems on attrition…