Date of Award
1-1-1992
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
Joan Mignerey
Committee Member
Ronald A. Newell
Committee Member
David S. Flight
Keywords
academic achievement, academic failure, attendance improvement, at-risk students, attrition reduction, child care responsibilities, counseling programs, Dade County, discipline problems, dropout prevention, dropout rates, employment issues, family problems, graduation rates, incarceration, inner-city schools, ninth-grade students, nonattendance, parent involvement, pregnancy, retention rates, returning dropouts, school retention, secondary education, standardized test scores, student achievement, student support services, tutorial programs, urban schools, youth at risk
Abstract
This report describes a comprehensive approach designed to decrease the dropout rate of returning students who had previously left school. The school is a predominately black, inner-city senior high school located in the municipality of Dade County, Florida. The dropout problem was observed from previous years of high dropout rates as compared to other senior high schools in the county. Simultaneously, this school experienced consecutive years of low graduation rates, low attendance rates, high retention rates, and low standardized test scores. It was further concluded, from the 1989-90 data, that the students who returned to school, after initially dropping out, had a 70% chance of dropping out again. The returning dropouts were identified as the most "at-risk" group for leaving school prior to completion.
Problem symptoms were derived from analysis of comparative data collected on returning ninth grade dropouts. Classroom observations, teacher, parent, and student interviews, and survey responses contributed to a greater identification of the probable causes. The findings revealed consistent patterns of nonattendance to be an overwhelming symptom leading to dropping out. Major reasons cited for dropping out included pregnancy, discipline problems, child-care at home, incarceration, employment and family problems. The returning ninth grade dropouts were found to have a history of grade retentions, academic failures, and low standardized test scores.
As a result of implementing counseling and tutorial strategies, improvements were observed in attendance, academic performance, and discipline for the targeted group. The attrition rate was significantly reduced with 85% of the returning dropouts remaining and achieving in school.