Investigated in this article are several factors that affect the annexation by central cities of urbanized areas to retain decentralized populations. A multivariate model of the responses of central cities to over- and underboundedness is presented and evaluated. (Author/EB)

This research study explores changes in the geographic dispersal of social classes in Philadelphia over a 20-year period. Discussed are the changes which occurred between the central city and its suburbs and those which occurred among suburban municipalities. Descriptions of several hypothetical models about the changes are tested. (EB)

Part of a model developed to explain dropout from adult education programs was tested. The model describes adult education participants as life-chance (lower socioeconomic groups) or life-space (upper socioeconomic groups) oriented, with life-chance being synonymous with defiency motivation and life-space being synonymous with growth motivation.…

This article demonstrates, through a case study, the use of pre-existing subgroups as moderator variables to increase the predictive effectiveness of educational research. Use of moderator variables in this study increased the amount of explained variance by 460 percent. (JDS)

A 19-year multiwave panel study (1976-95) in suburban Toronto (Ontario), tracking adolescents into their mid-30s, found a "sleeper effect" of adolescent rebellion. Delinquent youth dropped out of school; showed no significant signs of distress in early adulthood; but were frequently unemployed by midlife, with accompanying feelings of…

Middle school teachers in Georgia (392 of 600 surveyed) had considerable knowledge of at-risk learner characteristics. They were least knowledgeable about grade level most dropouts attain, number of grades failed by dropouts, range of dropout IQ, and when the highest incidence of dropping out occurs. (SK)

Introduces this special volume that seeks to provide insiders' reflective views of a wide range of bilingual education programs, with the aim of catalyzing dialog and reform. Provides demographic background on speakers of minority languages in the United States and in schools, and on needs and problems related to the education of…

Discusses problems with distance education, focusing on the higher dropout rate in online, Web-based courses compared to traditional campus-based education. Topics include feelings of isolation; frustrations with the technology; anxiety; confusion; course design; helping establish a collaborative community of learners; virtual office hours; and…

Discusses the drop-out rate from online courses in corporate training programs. Topics include better measures of electronic learning success and return on investment (ROI); a modular approach; course completion needed for certification requirements; and focusing on job performance improvement that results from electronic courses. (LRW)

Presents a study that examined aspects of the social behavior of young people in the sphere of education, focusing on external factors. Focuses on the increasing drop-out rates, the competitive situation in higher educational institutions, the dynamics in secondary specialized education, and the demographic factor. Includes references. (CMK)

Examined African American male students' transition to high school, comparing gender differences in achievement from 8th-12th grades by using data from a longitudinal study in Chicago. In 8th grade, there were few gender differences in achievement or teachers' ratings of students' behaviors and skills. However, males had more significant declines…

Uses data collected from London school to explore processes through which inner-city, working-class students leave school at the age of 16. Draws attention to issues of identity and inequality. Highlights the ways in which the young people viewed themselves as "not good enough" and "knew their limits" in relation to…

The extent of truancy, dropout, and grade repetition in 36 Dutch secondary schools was correlated with contextual variables such as school size, class size, and percentage of non-Dutch pupils. Multiple regression showed that numbers of non-Dutch pupils and average class size were of importance regarding the extent of truancy. (SK)

Post-literacy programs attempt to prevent relapse into illiteracy by ensuring retention, application, and continued growth of literacy skills. Planning for post-literacy should be included at the outset. Post-literacy must be seen as part of the lifelong education continuum, be funded effectively, overcome social and psychological barriers, and…

Examined 600 student and 300 faculty perceptions of the environment at the University of Wyoming as it relates to student retention and attrition. Results suggest that perceptions of persistors and subsequent dropouts differ less than expected. (TE)