Individual characteristics and peer group membership type in 7th grade was examined in relation to school dropout. Peer group type was characterized according to the proportion of group members who were high on teacher-rated aggression and popularity. Both aggressive and popular group types were linked to dropping out. (Contains 43 references and…

Examines the experiences of high school dropouts from the United States and Australia in the first 2 years beyond high school. Finds differences in the experiences of dropouts in the U.S. compared with those in Australia, as dropouts in Australia are more likely to participate in post-school education and training and more likely to settle into…

Examines labor-market value of the General Educational Development (GED) credential for females. Finds that among females who dropped out of high school with weak basic math skills, those with a GED have accumulated more work experience and have higher labor-market earning in their mid-20s than have observationally similar dropouts lacking the GED…

This study examined the perceptions of 58 special education administrators and 204 principals on the effect of requiring a minimum competency graduation examination for students with learning disabilities. Administrators felt the requirement would promote inclusive education but that without additional resources some students would experience…

Presents a tracking model for monitoring and reporting student transitions through the college years. Develops and illustrates the model by following a mythical class of 500 freshmen and 380 transfer students from matriculation to attrition or graduation. The model focuses on sequences of semesters rather than on freshman, sophomore, junior, and…

A new Dutch training program prepares school dropouts as assistants, enabling them to work at low-skilled jobs and prepare for continued study. Regional training centers are still seeking workable instructional models for the program. Greater emphasis should be placed on the relationship between this initial training and future training. (Contains…

A Wisconsin law that forces students to attend school before they receive welfare money may impact Blacks and other minority students disproportionately. The "learnfare" program reduces the payments received by families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children for truancy and dropping out. (FMW)

School abandonment is a systemic failure that affects poor and affluent students alike and threatens our country's well-being. Such "educational suicide" is primarily a motivational problem. It is time for educators to replace coercive, constraint-laden techniques with autonomy-supportive techniques and to supplant error-proof lessons with…

Examined effect of Summer Fireside Experience Program (SFEP), 5-day adventure-based orientation program, on student retention 3.5 years later. Findings from incoming freshmen assigned to SFEP (N=32), Freshmen Camp (N=64), or Control Group (N=64) revealed that after 3.5 years, SFEP group experienced 12 percent higher retention rate than Camp group…

Discusses how cultural centers improve minority college students' lives by enhancing ethnic pride and closing the gap between cultures. Emphasizes the need for centers to keep minority students in college. Explains that faculty members are hesitant to be associated with these centers because association can limit their career options. (JS)

Describes the Shawnee Mission Alternative Education Program (AEP) in suburban Kansas City, a program designed for students with academic, behavioral, or attendance problems in grades 7 through 10. Outlines AEP's philosophy, focusing on the need to develop students' self-worth. (MM)

Summarizes results of follow-up interviews with 10 out of 14 at-risk high school students studied during 1988-89. This study had indicated that students were at-risk in life and in school. Although seven eventually completed school and nine had positive self-perceptions, only one participant was working full time. Most had unstable family…

A model of adult education dropout posits psychosocial, external, and institutional integration factors as causes. Testing with data from 443 Norwegian adult students (167 dropouts) demonstrated that factors related to interaction with the institution made a more substantial contribution to explaining attrition than did external systems theory.…

This study of 103 students with behavioral disorders found that a much higher proportion of students had dropped out of school than had been graduated. Those who had dropped out of school were found to have experienced significantly more changes in educational service placements, school transfers, and previous releases than had their graduated…

Used Tinto's theory of departure to study persisting and nonpersisting students at large community college. Student Involvement Questionnaire III was completed by 521 persisting and 245 nonpersisting students. Results revealed that, compared to nonpersisters, persisters had greater academic integration, goal and institutional commitment, and…