Fixed-effect estimates of the impact of vocational rehabilitation on longitudinal earnings were determined for vocational rehabilitation clients with disabilities and a comparison group who dropped out prior to rehabilitation. Women experienced significant earnings increases, despite fairly comparable rehabilitation costs. (SK)

An evaluation of dropout rates in an adult basic education agency evolved into a process of critical thinking about program philosophy and function. Although philosophical differences emerged regarding organizational goals, teacher and learner roles, and curriculum, the critical evaluation process resulted in individual and collective growth in…

Butler County (Pennsylvania) Vo-Tech motivates better attendance and achievement through an incentive program with tangible rewards such as the Win-a-Car contest. A two-day self-esteem program involves action-oriented experiential learning activities designed to develop leadership, teamwork, self-esteem, and problem-solving skills. (SK)

Puerto Ricans are among the poorest and least well educated of Hispanic Americans and continue to drop out of school at a high rate. Recommends peer counseling programs, because there are few Puerto Rican teachers or other professionals to serve as role models. (DM)

Milwaukee's school choice pilot program allows 1,000 of the city's poorest students to attend nonsectarian private schools with taxpayer-financed vouchers. Only 600 of Milwaukee's 98,000 public school students applied for vouchers, although 55,000 met income requirements. Only 400 slots were available for voucher students in the 7 participating…

Although numbers such as average test scores or dropout rates can capture part of a school system's success or failure, school statistics seldom tell the whole story. School board members should realize that numbers might measure compliance or process, rather than improvement. Also, improvements in numbers might reflect changes in assessment…

Dropout prevention programs in schools must work with the community to meet the needs of students and families. Types of parent and school-community involvement include parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, and representing other parents. (JOW)

Technology in alternative-education programs can help retain at-risk secondary students. Technology can also help physically challenged students participate in classroom activities. (SK)

Studies youths' motivation for school attendance. Survey results suggest that the motivations for high school dropouts were consistent with those of nondropouts. Comparisons showed both groups to be comparable in terms of the relative influence of socialization, extracurricular activities, and pleasing an authority. (MMU)

Minnie Howard School, just outside Washington, D.C., caters exclusively to 14-year olds. Started seven years ago to relieve enrollment pressures, the school protects its 747 9th graders from typical high-school pressures and has reduced suspension and truancy, enrolled more kids in honors classes, and enticed privately educated students back to…

Despite 2 decades of overall enrollment increases at all education levels, Spain's primary-school dropout rate is relatively high and permanent. A study using 1985 living/working conditions data shows that family socioeconomic-status variables significantly determine probability of dropping out; youth labor market conditions are also influential.…

Investigates the learning styles of English students identified as school refusers and compares their style distribution to that of students in regular attendance in mainstream English secondary schools. Indicates that, compared to those attending school regularly, the learning style of refusers was skewed toward the Wholist end of the…

Interviews with 58 nursing students over age 25 showed that they experienced financial, child care, relationship, and family problems. Many had considered dropping out in response to pressures of their multiple roles. (SK)

Investigated achievement loss related to transitions from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school. A comparison of three groups of 16 school districts found that the instability and adjustments required of students in school transitions related to educational outcomes. Students placed in relatively small cohort groups for…

The perspective of the National Dropout Prevention Center is that the accomplishment of Goal Two of the National Education Goals, a high school graduation rate of at least 90%, is inextricably linked to Goals One and Three, school readiness and the opportunity for all to use their minds well. Research priorities for meeting these goals are…