EFFECTS OF A 9TH-GRADE DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAM ON STUDENT ACADEMIC-ACHIEVEMENT, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, AND DROPOUT RATE

The purpose of this study was to describe a dropout prevention program for ninth-grade students and examine its effects on grade point avera ge, reading and math achievement, school attendance, and dropout rate. A random sample of ninth-grade students was drawn from six high schoo ls for each of 3 years that the program was in operation and was compa red with a sample of students in the year prior to the program. Analys is of the program services across the school district revealed an emph asis on helping the students with academics and study skills, Signific ant positive effects were found on school attendance and dropout rate.