Another Look at the Drop out Problem

Abstract

A study was made to find ways of reducing high school drop out rates. The study involved interviews with recent drop outs, interviews with high school personnel, and a statistical analysis of the relationship between the drop out rates of 194 California high schools and eighteen possible factors contained within the school setting that purport to help keep young people who would otherwise drop out of school. Eleven of the eighteen factors were found to be significantly related to the drop out rate. In the high schools located in environments most conducive to fostering drop outs, the sheer number of factors contained in each program was related to the drop out rate to a greater extent than in schools located in a more favorable environment.