Predominantly black rural counties, located in the South, are among the poorest in the nation. Manufacturing has long been an important source of job growth in these counties, but the skill demands of new technology put these populations at a disadvantage. The poor quality of local schools and high dropout rates are major problems in predominantly…

Describes a community-initiated study of student motivational influences in Fountain Hills Unified School District (Arizona), which receives Yavapai students from nearby Fort McDowell Indian Community. Discusses collaboration between the school district and Indian community, quantitative results on student motivation and long-term effects of high…

Compares alcohol use among Mexican-American and White non-Hispanic school dropouts, and among students in good academic standing. Results indicate that dropouts are at a higher risk for alcohol use and misuse. Discusses implications in terms of prevalence and prevention. (Author/GCP)

Provides a brief review of legal procedures that schools have available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, and discusses problems with using suspension and expulsion, including recidivism, increased dropout rates, overrepresentation of minorities receiving suspension or expulsion, and indiscriminate…

Describes a workshop at the University of Hawaii at Manoa targeted at students overcoming academic difficulties and readmitted after a one-semester suspension. Participants are encouraged to use campus resources, make better decisions, and connect with other students and the institution. Preliminary evaluation suggests the workshop is an efficient…

Cross-section analysis of mean 8th grade NAEP math scores and SAT-I scores found that New York State students (who take Regents exams) were one grade level equivalent ahead than might be expected, given their socioeconomic background, compared to students in other states. Dropout rates were comparable. (Contains 27 references.) (MLH)

Describes the Posse Foundation program which sends "posses" of 10 carefully chosen graduates from inner-city high schools, en masse, to selective private colleges seeking a more diversified student population. Reports that in the past 10 years, almost 90 percent of Posse students have graduated within five years. Also identifies problems, such as…

Summarizes findings of two upcoming reports on programs that support and strengthen the academic achievement of under-represented student groups at both K-12 and postsecondary levels. The most successful programs at both K-12 and postsecondary levels were those which were comprehensive, extended over a long period of time, and bridged educational…

Discusses Web-based distance learning and emphasizes the importance of human interaction and facilitation to ensure successful programs. Topics include corporate use of distance learning as well as academic institutions; cost effectiveness; dropout rates; social processes; avoiding technical problems; peer support systems; orientation; and student…

Using research findings and statistics to support a policy argument often leads to misinterpretations and exaggerations of public school performance. Two experts illustrate this point by discussing examples of distorted high school drop-out rates, student performance on standardized tests, and international comparisons of U.S. and Japanese…

The issue of state-imposed standards and high-stakes tests for graduation and promotion has polarized communities and school boards. Lawsuits have arisen in Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Indiana, and California. Although opinion polls still strongly support standards and accountability, a backlash is spreading in some districts. (MLH)

Concern about the high dropout rate among Mexican American high school students promoted a study to investigate how acculturation and social support influence academic achievement. Students who were highly integrated and strongly bicultural tended to have higher academic achievement. Females tended to have high GPAs; males were slightly more…

Constructed a path model mapping the effect of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and degree utility on persistence of underprepared college students. Found that students who believed college would provide employment opportunities and better careers were more likely to persist, and that CDMSE has a direct effect on social and academic…

Reports the effects of a preventive intervention program on dropping out of school in a sample of disruptive boys from low socioeconomic status. Results show that the program had an indirect effect on later school dropout problems through its impact on grade retention/special education placement. The reduction of grade retention/special classroom…

In 1954, the United States Supreme Court, in a landmark decision known as Brown v. Board of Education, said, "Today education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments...it is the principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values and preparing him for later professional training and in helping him to…