This paper examines progress made in educating adolescents with mild handicaps since implementation of Public Law 94-142, based on graduation rates of these students and their postschool outcomes. The paper then presents a model for restructuring special education programs to prepare youth for utilitarian, social, and personal roles. (JDD)

Using data from the High School and Beyond survey for 10,188 sophomores and 8,491 seniors, investigates the effect of spacing of births of siblings on high school attrition and postsecondary school attendance. Close spacing increases likelihood of dropping out of high school and decreases odds of attending postsecondary school. (SLD)

A one-semester, credit-bearing course for parents of Wichita State University freshmen improves retention because parents can help freshmen adjust to the university environment. The course provides information about the institution through monthly articles and cassette audiotapes. Parents receive identification cards and parking decals and may…

Describes a study conducted at Del Mar College (Texas) to provide the college with baseline data on its nonreturnees and to test the feasibility of gathering interview information over the phone. Defines relevant terms, outlines the data-gathering process, and presents study findings and recommendations regarding data collection and the focus of…

Two cohorts of students attending an alternative school for chronically disruptive youth received either the standard program or the standard program with additional family involvement. The experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in locus of control, grade point averages, attendance, and reduced dropout rate, relative…

A Tennessee district counsels seniors lacking sufficient credits to consider General Education Development (GED) tutoring. African-American females are generally "pulled out" by family reasons; African-American males feel "pushed out," following suspensions and expulsions. Potential dropouts are deterred by an alternative high school and a…

A survey of over 1,000 American Indian high school and college students and an equivalent sample of Indian adults over 35 examined knowledge of current events and Native history, political attitudes, attitudes toward Native leadership, family educational attainment, causes of Indian dropouts, role models, and attitudes toward Native values and…

A study examined the health service use of 5,088 West Virginia University freshmen and compared the use patterns of students who returned the next fall with those who did not return. Nonreturning students had a higher usage rate and were significantly different in the types of services needed. The influence of student health problems on attrition…

In three counties of western North Carolina, students who meet requirements of the New Century Scholars program during their last 6 years of secondary school are guaranteed a 2-year scholarship to Southwestern Community College. Financed by community fund-raising efforts, the program provides a close network of academic and social support for…

This study examined the relationships among academic achievement, dropout patterns, and welfare reform strategies. Findings suggest that welfare reform has not translated into better educational trajectories for children from poor families. Findings suggest the need for stronger linkages between welfare departments and school systems for adopting…

Investigated Mexican American high school students' perceptions of multiculturalism, noting whether perceptions affected academic achievement, intention to graduate, and postsecondary educational aspirations. Surveyed, interviewed, and observed students and staff at schools with low and high Hispanic dropout rates. Students who considered their…

An examination of the literature on the characteristics of at-risk students largely cites demographics, socio-economic factors and minority status as identifying factors (DeRidder, 1988; Green and Scott, 1995; Peng, Lee, and Walberg, 1992; Rodriguez, 1997). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (1994), minority students of low…

Building on more classical status attainment and reproduction perspectives, this article examines the extent of class, race and gender inequality in high school vocational education, and the consequences for students' later educational and occupational trajectories. Analyses demonstrate significant class, race and gender disparities in vocational…

The authors studied beginning undergraduate actuarial concentrators in a business college. They identified four variables (math Scholastic Aptitude Test [SAT] score, verbal SAT score, percentile rank in high school graduating class, and percentage score on a college mathematics placement exam) that were available for entering college students that…

"Education Week" provides a weekly review of state and federal K-12 education policy news. In this issue it offers detailed data on graduation rates across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and in the nation's 50 largest school districts. The analysis is based on the Cumulative Promotion Index developed by Christopher B. Swanson, the…