A study of high school dropouts.

Abstract

Concern over the national high school the complex nature of the problem, dropout problem continues to grow as because it is not helpful to regard increasing attention is being focused on dropping out as a single, impulsive retaining marginal students. Historidecision (Garni, 1980). How students cally, the public has measured school perceive themselves in conjunction success by standardized test scores. with the school experience has been This definition of success bypassed found to be particularly important, marginal students because of their inStudents' motivation may be decreased ability to perform well on such tests. As by the school process, not by learning a consequence, school systems may not (Self, 1985). Dropouts seem to sub have emphasized their holding power scribe to a self-concept as loners, some because of the likelihood of poorer times rejecting both the school and self performing students contributing to a (Hedman, 1984). Many at-risk students less favorable evaluation of schools feel little respect and interest from (Bateman, 1985). school administrators and teachers. In an effort to keep the dropout Consequently, the potential dropout issue before the public, much research may be more a victim of a lack of has been conducted on identifying the understanding than a student with a characteristics of potential dropouts. learning problem (Pittman, 1986). An Characteristics typically designated as example of this is when students' cul descriptive of this at-risk population tural experiences conflict with school include larger numbers of boys than norms (Schwabach, 1985). girls, lower socioeconomic levels, preDropout intervention programs vious failures, poor grades, monetary have been developed out of descriptive difficulties, behavior problems, borestudies. Typical components of these dom, problems with school staff, poor attendance, and substance abuse (Klein, 1977; Peng & Takai, 1983; Lisa J. Bearden is director of the IndustriallOc Presholdt & Fisher, 1983). cupational Medicine Department, Montgomery