Examined the ability to classify students into different risk groups based on self-reported risk and protective factors. Data on rural honor society students and at-risk graduates and dropouts indicated that at-risk students differed from honor society students on demographic and school-related risk factors. At-risk graduates reported higher grade…

Analyzed the effectiveness of a high school program designed to address student deficiencies in English skills while helping students develop an attachment to school within a traditional academic setting. Data analysis indicated that, as a group, students enrolled in the at-risk skills program improved their language and reading skills and…

Explored where bullying occurred, what kind of bullying happened, how often bullying occurred, and whom students confided in when bullying occurred at school. Surveys of rural 9th and 10th graders indicated that bullying was a very real part of their daily lives. Nearly 75 percent reported some type of bullying at school, and many observed…

Presents data on dropout rates and number and distribution of adolescents/young adults who were dropouts, noting background characteristics (sex, race/ethnicity, age, recency of immigration, and region) for October 1998. Data are provided on status dropout rate, number status dropouts, total population age 16-24 years, percent of all dropouts, and…

Investigated the impact of an after-school tutorial program on the academic achievement of high-risk, predominantly minority high school students. Data on the students' grades indicated that on average, the majority of students received passing grades. A main effect for discipline was found, with achievement levels for English significantly higher…

Compared the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary dropout prevention science course with a traditional dropout prevention course. Analyses of process and recall skills from the district's science achievement tests revealed significant differences in academic performance for curriculum type, gender, and race/ethnicity, with no significant…

Examined secondary students' perceptions of a program that addressed the academic and occupational needs of students at risk of dropping out. Survey data indicated that students considered the program useful in relation to choosing and preparing for a career. However, they noted that information presented tended to be out of date and that required…

Focus groups with typical high school students, alternative school and high school students at risk for failure, and alternative and high school teachers of at-risk students examined their perceptions of school goals for such students, barriers to reaching those goals, and accommodations available to help students. Discusses the thematic…

Investigates what language minority and language majority high school students believe about various issues related to bilingual education programs. Data from student surveys and narratives indicate that bilingual education programs appear to be effective, with many language minority students learning to speak English, though some students found…

Describes a partnership between university education faculty and an urban public alternative high school. University faculty worked closely with teachers and students to increase students' chances of graduating. The research-based program was based on effective schools research and instructional best practices. The program resulted in real…

Presents a case study that follows one high school's peer conflict mediation efforts to reduce violence. Over 8 years, suspensions for fighting decreased dramatically, verbal confrontations between students decreased somewhat, and the general atmosphere on campus grew more relaxed, with students relating better to one another and the school…

Investigated the attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol use of adolescent males with emotional disturbances. Results from focus group interviews highlighted four attitudes and behaviors: rationalization of their drinking, self-absorption (disregard for the feelings of others and the consequences of their actions), drinking with peers versus…

Investigated factors affecting high school students' attendance. Data from student, staff, and administrator interviews and review of attendance data revealed serious problems in how students perceived they were treated by staff and peers as well as problems related to school climate and curriculum and instruction, which destroyed student…

Addressed the internal consistency coefficients of scores on self-concept and other composites in different risk groups and the relationship between self-concept variables and variables measuring behavioral and psychological functioning. Scores from at-risk high school graduates and dropouts and not-at-risk students indicated that the reliability…

Looked beyond socioeconomic indicators to seek underlying influences on rural high school seniors' dropout/completion decisions. Data came from school records and student surveys. Students were grouped by gender, and variables of Everett's (1996) model were analyzed. The predictor model for males had a 88.89 percent correct classification rate.…