Date of Award
1-1-1992
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
C.Achilles
Committee Member
Charles L. Faires
Committee Member
T. Shiver
Keywords
academic achievement, adopt-a-pupil program, at-risk students, attendance, behavior modification, dropout prevention, dropout rates, inservice training, mentoring, reward systems, school climate, secondary education, staff development, student behavior, student conduct, student identification, students, teachers, teacher awareness, teacher sensitivity, youth retention
Abstract
This Major Applied Research Project (MARP) described a dropout prevention program for Lamar High School students. A search of the literature, comparisons of dropout rates, and Interviews with knowledgeable others confirmed that Lamar High School had a high dropout rate and that dropouts often negatively impact on the community, state, and nation in which they live.
The literature search, interviews with professional educators, and examination of the records of Lamar High School dropouts suggested probable causes for many Lamar High School students dropping out. Also, possible activities to assist school personnel in their efforts to encourage students to stay in school were obtained from these sources.
The MARP was designed to improve academic achievement, to improve attendance rates, to improve student conduct, to insure a positive school climate, and to increase student identification with the school. These five issues were attacked through the following four major activities: 1. Various committees appointed to insure a positive school climate. 2. Adopt-A-Pupil Program developed and implemented. 3. Academic achievement, regular attendance, and good conduct reward programs developed and implemented. 4. Two-part inservice program developed and implemented to increase teachers’ awareness and sensitivity of all students’ needs.
Evaluation of MARP objectives confirmed a 2.3 percent dropout reduction, a 3.9 percent reduction in courses failed, and an increase in the attendance rate to 95.6 percent; however, responses on the School Climate and Discipline Context Inventory Survey reflected a 6.9 percent decrease in students viewing the school climate more positively.