Discusses dropout rates in online courses and suggests alternative views of the significance of high drop rates and recommends options for research and practice. Topics include differences between online and traditional students, including learning styles; performance differences and satisfaction; situational factors; and educational system…

Examined secondary students' perceptions of a program that addressed the academic and occupational needs of students at risk of dropping out. Survey data indicated that students considered the program useful in relation to choosing and preparing for a career. However, they noted that information presented tended to be out of date and that required…

Examined potential differences in how Australian mature entrants and those who have just left school undertake the decision to attend a new university. Found differences between the two groups in terms of their need for public transportation and scheduling convenience, emphasis on program quality, and college search strategies. (EV)

Examined the ability to classify students into different risk groups based on self-reported risk and protective factors. Data on rural honor society students and at-risk graduates and dropouts indicated that at-risk students differed from honor society students on demographic and school-related risk factors. At-risk graduates reported higher grade…

Analysis of data on adults who left school before age 17 and later enrolled in university (New Zealand, n=953; England, n=762) identified factors that influenced reentry. A typology emerged: (1) academically able with financial or other constraints; (2) those uncertain about academic abilities or usefulness of schooling; and (3) alienated,…

Meta-analyses were performed on seven studies of ethnic match and psychotherapy. Results reveal a small dropout and utilization effect sizes, indicating that ethnic match is not a significant clinical predictor of decreasing dropout after the first session or increasing number of sessions attended. (Contains references and tables.) (GCP)

Examines New York State's initiative to address high school dropout rates, finding that few of the 12 pilot sites had explicit links to adult education. Suggests that adult basic education can be a driving force in a community to educate, assemble, organize, and facilitate discourse to support dropout prevention strategies. Urges adult educators…

Findings from a literature review on dropout prevention were integrated with suggestions from Oregon educators. Ideas included examples of universal interventions (such as student advisory programs), dropout interventions for at-risk students (such as community-based learning), and interventions for individual students (wraparound interventions).…

Career academies in Philadelphia have evolved over the past 30 years. A comprehensive review of their effectiveness found that students have better attendance and grades, higher self-esteem and satisfaction with school, and lower dropout rates. (JOW)

Investigates the effect of parents' mental illness on the schooling of their children. Finds that parents' mental illnesses increase the probability of high school dropout of children, though these effects differ markedly with disease. Also finds that parental mental illness has more consistently negative effects on girls than on boys. (Contains…

Young children are being fast tracked at early age because of pressures from parents, schools, society, and media. One result is troubled teenagers who experience stress of these pressures without having adult means to cope with them. Time spent with parents and in play activities are activities that help children to gain security, happiness, and…

A children's social health index calculated from six aspects of social health indicates that the social health of children is deteriorating in the areas of infant mortality, child abuse, child poverty, teenage suicide, and high school dropouts. (SH)

Although grade retention is widely practiced, it does not help children catch up or prevent school dropouts. In one study, children rated the prospect of flunking a grade as more stressful than wetting in class or being caught stealing. Remediation and other within-grade instructional efforts have a more positive success rate. Includes 16…

Discusses how business teachers can get students to stay in school and learn problem solving in context with teaching basic business knowledge and information processing and computer skills. (JOW)

Implemented Success in School program which focuses on dropout prevention with fifth-grade students (N=37). Self-reports indicated students saw themselves in a more positive light and were able to predict future successes for themselves. Recommends school programs that help students improve their self-esteem as strategy to reduce ultimate dropout…