Freshmen placed the greatest responsibility for their low grades on their own lack of motivation, improper study habits, and inattention to school work. Because of the predicted decline in the number of college-age youths in the 1980s, schools need to put more emphasis on retaining students. (Author)

This issue presents some excerpts from the Commonwealth Conference on Non-Formal Education for Development, held in New Delhi, India, January 22-February 2, 1979, concerning the concept and tasks of nonformal education. Includes a few observations and recommendations from each of the Conference's 12 committees. (MF)

Describes the Comprehensive Vocational Motivation Program for high school students with special needs. The program includes personal and vocational counseling, help in locating social services, development of vocational skills and part-time employment, motivation activities, and crisis intervention. Programs are tailored to individual needs. (JAC)

Data from a standardized reading test and student background information were correlated to determine relationships. Self-assessed reading scores and other data may be used for predicting retention, academic performance, and reading ability. Differences were found between persisters and dropouts on these variables. (Author)

This paper urges increased educator and community agency collaboration in preventing failure among students with special needs, including students with disabilities. A chart compares networking, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration and distinguishes among them in terms of types of interaction, examples, impact on students, and impact on…

Solid research evidence links smaller schools to fewer discipline problems, lower dropout rates, higher student participation levels, and steadier academic progress. Large buildings are no obstacle. Creating small schools requires top administrators to lend impetus and support, facilitate teacher volunteer groups, develop clear policies, adjust…

Describes the Senior Project, a program at California State University, Fresno, designed to help children at risk of school failure. The project stresses one-on-one mentoring of at-risk, limited-English-speaking children by Liberal Studies/teacher preparation majors. Plans for most sessions feature reading and writing activities, simple science…

Simple methods for detecting attrition (nonresponse) in longitudinal evaluations are reviewed, focusing on regression-based analyses of data from a longitudinal evaluation. The approaches are illustrated with data from the Fort Bragg Evaluation, an evaluation of a major demonstration in children's mental health services. (SLD)

Profiles some of the efforts of Appalachian educators to connect area children with their heritage while combating the trends toward school dropout and poverty. Teaching students the history behind their own dialect and customs helps them accept the customs and speech of others and helps them overcome stereotypes. (SLD)

Using self-determination theory, the authors tested a motivational model to explain the conditions under which rural students formulate their intentions to persist in, versus drop out of, high school. Analyses showed that the provision of autonomy support within classrooms predicted students' self-determined motivation and perceived competence.…

This article summarizes relevant research on students who are deaf in higher education and suggests directions for educational researchers interested in enhancing the academic success and retention of students who are deaf in higher education programs. The need for improved career education, academic accommodations, and self-advocacy skills are…

Advocates the implementation of a formal youth apprenticeship program similar to that of the German system, which offers incentives to employers, students, and educators. Argues that such a system would increase the productivity and economic opportunities of non-college minority youth and reduce at-risk behaviors. (FMW)

Concerns of students at risk of dropping out of school in an urban setting were studied using innovative ethnographic methods. Students served as collaborators to tape dialogues between themselves and peers. Results for 77 dialogues among 61 individuals indicate the importance of pressure from outside and boredom within the school. (TJH)

Issues that emerged within the context of an Australian national project on secondary education--"Reports and Records of Achievement for School Leavers"--are addressed. The role of external examinations, move toward standards-based assessment, certificates/records, tertiary selection, reporting, student-to-teacher relationship, teacher…

In this review of the "Tenth Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Education of the Handicapped Act" (Public Law 94-142), data are cited concerning: current status of services, dropout rates from secondary special education, implementation of preschool special education services, and state variations in the…