The effects of extracurricular activity, ethnic identification, and perception of school on student dropout rates

With a growing Mexican American population and an increasing dropout rate p redicted for this group, research is needed to examine ways of deterring th is trend and increasing retention rates. The current study examined extracu rricular activity, perception of school, and ethnic identification, and the association with school retention rates among Mexican American and White n on-Hispanics. Individuals reporting participation in extracurricular activi ty were 2.30 times more likely to be enrolled in school than were those not participating in extracurricular activity. Those Mexican Americans reporti ng a higher White non-Hispanics ethnic identity level were 2.41 times more likely to be enrolled in school and had a more positive perception of schoo l than did Mexican American individuals reporting low levels of White non-H ispanics ethnic identification.