A survey of 97 Florida and Georgia middle schools and their receiving high schools revealed that schools with two or fewer transition practices had significantly higher attrition and dropout rates than schools implementing three or more practices. Sample programs include the ninth-grade house, parent nights, advisory/mentoring programs, and…

A report compiled by the Council of the Great City Schools shows substantial signs of systemwide urban-school progress. According to nationwide data, test scores in urban districts are rising, accountability systems are being implemented, and dropout rates are declining. Taxpayer investment in urban children is essential. (MLH)

Reports on data taken from the General Social Survey that found a link between "heavy metal" rock fanship and suicide acceptability. Finds that relationship becomes nonsignificant once level of religiosity is controlled. Heavy metal fans are low in religiosity, which contributes to greater suicide acceptability. (Author/JDM)

A study explored 97 college freshmen's perceived stress and persistence as a function of attachment style. Students with secure attachment reported significantly less perceived stress than those with insecure attachment. Fewer students with secure attachment quit college than did students with insecure attachment. Stress scores and grade point…

Discusses the findings of a study of young people who had left post-16 education prematurely or had switched courses. Examines the main influences on the young people's decisions, the extent to which they felt prepared for their transitions, and their views of career guidance and education. (Author/GCP)

Despite the spread of distance education, research on its effectiveness is inadequate. The debate on distance education must be based on accurate and adequate information. Studies are needed to assess effectiveness of entire academic programs taught at a distance; on dropout rates; to address different learning styles; to establish a theoretical…

Discussion of student retention at community colleges identifies reasons for student failure and withdrawal, concluding that many students leave school for reasons such as emotional problems, poor motivation, and financial problems over which instructors have no control. Suggests too much emphasis on retaining ill-prepared students detracts from…

Describes several general dropout prevention strategies, presents information on career education and its phases (career awareness, career orientation, career exploration, and career preparation), and discusses the importance of career education for children with disabilities. How career education can be integrated into the curriculum is also…

Boston's Diploma Plus program helps 16- to 22-year-old dropouts gain the skills and confidence necessary for graduation, continued education, and work. The program establishes high expectations, enlivens teaching and learning, measures progress by actual performance, and builds in continuous assessment and challenging postsecondary experiences.…

Adults with severe mental illness (n=44) were administered measures of job interviewing skills, psychiatric symptoms, work history, and quality of life before and after a 3-month Job Finding Club. Results suggested that participants with a lower quality of life were more likely to complete the program, and that quality of participation was…

Discusses research on successful support programs for potential dropouts. Describes a Detroit high school's Ninth Grade Project 96 program, an intervention strategy for high-risk, low-achieving students. The program used a modified block schedule; attendance, academic, and monitoring interventions; incentives and rewards; and team teachers.…

Shows how high-school dropout and completion rates are used as tools for making decisions and why different decisions require different measures. There are tools for making comparisons with the United States at large, other states, districts within a state, or districts sharing common characteristics. (MLH)

Discusses how to keep students from dropping out of distance education courses, based on experiences at the British Open University. Highlights include students taking responsibility for their learning; time management skills; managing study space; maintaining good communication; establishing learning communities; and responses to student email.…

Reviews 4 key intervention strategies for students at risk: (1) Sorting (of students into homogeneous subgroups); (2) Supporting (of students dealing with life's problems); (3) Connecting (of students with each other and the institution); and (4) Transforming (of students and the institution). (50 references) (JDI)

Discusses an online distance education program at Boise State University that used Keller's ARCS model, Kaufman's Organizational Elements Model, and Kirkpatrick's evaluation model to improve motivational appeal for the adult learners and reduce the attrition rate. Describes the interventions implemented and presents results of evaluations that…