Mt Diablo High School began a six-phase dropout prevention program in 1986. It involves a summer transition program for freshmen, training for freshman teachers, ongoing follow up, reduction in class size, ninth grade performance review, and the creation of a ninth grade opportunity class for second semester freshmen students. (MD)

Describes an alternative program for ninth-graders "having adjustment problems." The voluntary program includes simple and consistent classroom rules, frequent graded assignments, and a focus on relevance to students' life experiences; students are encouraged to do schoolwork through a system of group rewards. (MCG)

To assist incoming freshmen, a Colorado Springs high school initiated learning resource labs staffed with academic coaches. Combining study hall, homeroom, and advisory group, the labs offer adult tutors, workshops on conflict resolution and study skills, career and technology exploration opportunities, a learning styles inventory, free reading…

Administered Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI) to ninth graders (N=198) to examine whether results would be similar to those obtained with collegiate population on which PSI was normed. Results revealed three factors which were defined somewhat differently with this younger population. (NB)

Directed seminar concerning academic difficulty for ninth-grade Afro-American students (N=5) to observe group dynamics in relation to Bion's concept of psychodynamic group process and Bennis and Shepard's theory of group development. Observed changes in life of group that suggest phasic development. Noted group resistance to Black female…

A Tacoma, Washington, high school eases middle schoolers' transition to high school via the "Freshman Getaway," a 12-hour event in July that combines a traditional high school orientation with food, fun, entertainment, and some bonding and school-culture transmission. Each year, this event meets educators' goals by promoting respect for…

Examined substance use among academically successful high school students. Findings from 3,331 first-year students and 3,515 juniors revealed that over 70 percent of academically successful students reported some type of drug use. Negative association between drug use and academic achievement may be counterbalanced by mediating factors, such as…

Examined effects of 3-week alcohol and drug education course on attitudes about alcohol and drugs in ninth grade students (n=180). Results showed mean attitude score changed in desired direction after education indicating negative feelings toward drugs and alcohol use and abuse, polydrug use, dependency, social pressure, and media pressure and…

Study investigated the impact of a counselor-led guidance unit on ninth-grade students, and the interaction of the intervention with risk levels, academic placements, and gender. Students' expressed behavior, school attitudes, and level of informational awareness about high school and the work world were assessed. Results showed these guidance…

A pivotal point for students is the transition from middle school to high school. Students will decide during the first few weeks of their freshman year if they intend to continue their high school education (Hertzog & Morgan, 1999). This article provides the reader with the research surrounding this transition year, programs and practices…

Because ninth grade is such a tough year for many students, some school districts have created special academies or other programs to provide special attention to students in the first year of high school. Studies show that ninth-graders have the most discipline incidents and retentions, and are most likely to drop out. In this paper, the author…

This study examines the effect of teacher communication on freshman high school students towards doing their homework assignments and their level of engagement and attitudes in the classroom. It also investigates students' and parents' attitudes toward school work. The researcher randomly selected four Algebra I classes; two assigned to the…

America's urban high schools are having trouble making sophomores, resulting in freshmen classes bulging with students repeating a grade. Research shows that these students are at high risk of failure and dropout. Urban districts have begun to respond to the notable "freshmen bulge" through school restructuring. This mixed-methods study…

This curriculum guide for senior English language arts instruction in Manitoba, Canada, is intended to suggest to teachers and administrators how Senior 1 English Language Arts instruction can be delivered within the framework of new program delivery models presented in "Answering the Challenge: Strategies for Success in Manitoba Schools…

The ecological perspective holds that community and school activities are a rare product of interaction among adolescents, communities, families, and schools. This study was designed to assess the outcomes of a personal empowerment program. The sample consisted of 25 male and 27 female ninth grade students. Students took a pretest and received a…