ERIC Number: ED029320
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1968-Aug-31
Pages: 146
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Secondary Student Status Survey 1967-1968. Part I.
Hawaii State Dept. of Education, Honolulu.
The study, which compares a group of high school dropouts to a group of lowest quintile graduates, shows similarity in most areas of comparison regarding academic ability, character traits and family background. Findings show that the decision to drop out is based on a complex network of reasons with the problem of poor attendance most often cited as the major cause. While the dropouts were counseled by school personnel and other professionals, only a small number benefited from an individual curriculum adjustment which the author feels is the most valuable preventive measure available for combating early school termination. A comparison of the two groups may be interpreted as follows: (1) higher attendance may have some effect on eventual graduation, (2) failing contributes decisively to the decision to drop out, (3) "satisfactory" academic performance more consistently characterizes the lowest quintile graduates, and (4) character trait ratings for the graduates most often increase over the period of school years while those for the dropout do not. The author suggests that prevention of dropouts rests heavily on: (1) coping with character trait problems, (2) curriculum adjustment to individual needs, (3) educational objectives which are both challenging and attainable, and (4) evaluation techniques in terms of individual ability and effort. (J.S.)
Publication Type: N/A
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Hawaii State Dept. of Education, Honolulu.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A