Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern nationwide. Millions of students are absent from school, with the number summing to one month's worth of absences per student per year. As a result of Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA), many states have included chronic absenteeism as part of their school quality indicator. For the 2018-2019 school year, attendance was included in standards of accreditation. Reducing chronic absenteeism has long been a goal for many public principals at each grade level nationwide. The purpose of this study was to identify what interventions and strategies principals were implementing to decrease chronic absenteeism. This study further identified principals' perceptions of the interventions and strategies with the greatest and least effect on decreasing chronic absenteeism. A qualitative research design was used with semi-structured interviews to determine principals' perceptions of interventions and strategies to decrease chronic absenteeism. Participants were principals from secondary schools in one urban school district, located in the Southeastern region of Virginia. Findings from the research revealed that principals in this district are implementing interventions and strategies that include: positive behavioral interventions and supports, parent contacts, community partnerships, district supports, and professional development to decrease chronic absenteeism. The findings also suggested that interventions and strategies that help build relationships between the school, students, and parents are being most effective in decreasing chronic absenteeism in this district. Implications for continued decrease in chronic absenteeism at all level of practice are recommended and suggestions for future research / Doctor of Education / The purpose of this study was to identify what interventions and strategies principals were implementing to decrease chronic absenteeism. This study further identified principals' perceptions of the interventions and strategies with the greatest and least effect on decreasing chronic absenteeism. The study included principals from secondary schools in one urban school district, located in the Southeastern region of Virginia. Principals were interviewed using interview questions designed by the researcher (see Appendix E). The research findings identified principals are implementing positive behavior interventions and supports in their schools to decrease chronic absenteeism. They are also implementing parent contacts, community partnerships, district supports, and professional development. The interventions and strategies principals find most effective in decreasing chronic absenteeism are interventions and strategies that help build relationships with students and parents. Future interventions and strategies should include additional efforts to contact parents, an increase in staff to make home visits and students being able to recover or buy back time lost from school due to absenteeism. Implications for practice in the continued decrease of chronic absenteeism are recommended, as well as suggestions for future research.

Assessing the causes of SMME learner drop-out and attrition in the national rollout of the Productive Capacity Building Programme (PCBP): A Case StudyThe aim of this evaluative research study is to investigate the causes of learner dropout and attrition within the national rollout of the Productive Capacity Building Programme PCBP of the National Productivity Institute (NPI). This study is undertaken using a case study format with particular interest in the behaviour of adult learners within the context of a learning environment as well as particular interventional measures that could be undertaken by adult educators and facilitators in retaining adult learners within contact training programmes. The research study not only has internal validity in terms of the PCBP training programme operations but also contextual importance for long distance education, e-learning, other modes of learning delivery as well as the larger human resources development (HRD) domain. The ultimate objective is to minimize PCBP training costs resulting from adult learner attrition and the failure to meet training targets. A survey population comprising sixty (x60) small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) learners who attended PCBP training is selected using simple random sampling. The study is undertaken using case study format from a learning practitioner’s perspective. Utilizing a questionnaire instrument and interview method, the survey population is interviewed through a qualitative research method. Historical training statistics as well as post-implementation training statistics resulting from the application of recommendations are stratified and compared. Qualitative data collection methods such as observation, interview and documents are utilized. The study ends with recommendations for business application and the practical effects brought about by the implementation of initial recommendations.An analysis of recommendations indicates that adult learner dropout within the PCBP training programme is minimized through the introduction of adult learning principles within the delivery of the programme.

Questo lavoro analizza le determinanti dell’abbandono scolastico nel settore della Further Education in Inghilterra. In particolare, il primo capitolo descrive i modelli teorici per l’analisi dell’abbandono scolastico e fornisce una revisione della letteratura sulle principali determinanti dell’abbandono scolastico. Il secondo capitolo si concentra sugli effetti della dimensione delle scuole e delle aree di insegnamento sulla probabilita’ di abbandono parziale e totale. Introduce il concetto di abbandono parziale, dimostrando che gli studenti che hanno abbandonato lo studio di alcune ma non tutte le materie a cui si erano iscritti reagiscono a cambiamenti nella dimensione delle scuole e delle aree di insegnamento in maniera simile agli studenti che abbandonano completamente gli studi. Il terzo capitolo analizza l’effetto causale dell’iscrizione a istituzioni di Further Education che sono state recentemente fuse sulla probabilita’ di non completare gli studi. Utilizziamo la tecnica del propensity score matching e controlliamo la qualita’ del matching e la sensibilita’ delle stime al fallimento dell’assunzione di unconfoundedness. I nostri risultati dimostrano che iscriversi ad una scuola oggetto di fusione riduce la probabilita’ di abbandonale gli studi. / This work analyses the determinants of dropout behavior in the Further Education sector in England. More specifically, the first chapter describe the theoretical framework for the analysis of student withdrawal and provides a review of the literature on the main determinants of dropout behavior. The second chapter focuses on the effect of college and programme area size on the probability of dropping out both partially and completely. It introduces the concept of partial dropout showing that students that dropped out of some modules but not all the ones they were enrolled on react to changes in college and programme area size similarly to the ones that dropped out completely. The third chapter analyses the causal effect of enrolling in a recently merged Further Education college on the probability of dropping out. We employ the propensity score matching approach and check the quality of our matching and the sensitivity of the estimates to the failure of the unconfoundedness assumption. Our findings show that enrolling in a merged college reduces the probability of dropping out.

Reducing student dropout is of extreme importance to the United States. The loss in revenue as well as in human terms is huge. Several problems exist concerning students placed at-risk for dropping out. These include no agreed upon method of calculating drop out rates, differing opinions on the causes of school dropout, and a body of literature that is sparse concerning educational approaches for keeping students placed at-risk in school. This study examined the impact of the Samantha Academy of Creative Education (SACE) on the students placed at-risk and the teacher perceptions of the SACE program by the teachers working in the program at a suburban high school of Southwest Texas. The population of this mixed-methods study consisted of secondary general education students from a large suburban high school in Southwest Texas who had been placed at-risk. One of these groups consisted of students that participated in the SACE program while the other group consisted of a similar group of students not participating in SACE. Statistical tests were conducted to determine if a difference existed between the two groups with regard to graduation rate, attendance rate, and core grade average. Perceptions of the SACE program by the teachers that worked within the SACE program were gathered. Results indicate that student placed at-risk who participated in the SACE program had higher core grade averages, higher rates of graduation, and higher rates of attendance compared to students placed at-risk within the same high school who did not participate in SACE. Teachers perceived that the SACE program was efficacious for students placed at risk because of three broad themes. This study further demonstrated that effective programs aimed at helping students placed at-risk can be developed within the context of a regular high school setting. Recommendations for further research and implications for practice were provided.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

One of the most evident signs that a child is on the path to dropping out of [BT1] school is disengagement from school (Kortering & Christenson, 2009). Given the amount of time that young people spend with their peers and the influence that peers have (Monahan, Steinberg, & Caufman, 2009), there is a need to better understand the role that peers play in the decision to drop out of school (Farmer, Estell, Leug, Trott, Biship, & Caims, 2003). Using Ericson’s stages of psychosocial development (1956), social identity theory, and self-categorization theory as a framework, an afterschool program in the form of a social club was designed and implemented. The goal was to foster friendships between academically engaged students and disengaged students, using a short-term, cost effective intervention. It was hypothesized that the new friends would act as role models giving the disengaged students a more accurate perception of positive academic behaviors and the related benefits, thus leading to a positive change in academic engagement. This study used a mixed-methods design: a quantitative phase consisting of pretest-posttest surveys administered to teachers and students in order to assess possible changes in student academic engagement and a second pretest-posttest survey administered to students in order to determine if any new friendships between academically engaged and at-risk students had formed. A second, qualitative phase used focus groups to gain insight into the students’ perceptions of their academic experience. The findings of this study contribute to the current literature on dropout by providing insight into the possibility of utilizing peers as a catalyst to academic engagement in students who are at risk for school failure and high school drop out, in particular those with disabilities. In addition, the findings reiterate the importance of positive student-teacher relations and the importance of ongoing attempts to create those relations. The results of this study remind us that there is no single approach to solving the problem of high school dropout. However, by providing diverse opportunities for at-risk students to develop positive perceptions of the academic experience it is possible to ultimately increase academic engagement and reduce dropout. [BT1]Abstract body text must not exceed 350 words.

Auffällig viele Athletinnen und Athleten beenden vorzeitig, d. h. vor Erreichen des individuellen Leistungshöhepunktes, ihre leistungssportliche Karriere (Dropout). Oftmals werden von den Dropouts neben gestiegenen Anforderungen im schulischen und sportlichen Bereich, auch Motivationsverlust sowie eine Verschiebung der Prioritäten als Gründe für ihre Entscheidung gegen eine Fortsetzung der leistungssportlichen Karriere angegeben. Ver- schiedene sportwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen beschäftigten sich bereits mit diesem komplexen Phänomen, eine zufriedenstellende Erklärung gelang indes nicht. Ein Großteil der bereits vorhandenen Studien betrachtet meist nur die retrospektive und damit eine oftmals verzerrte Sichtweise. Das Hauptanliegen dieser Untersuchung ist es daher gewesen, den Einfluss ausgewählter psychologischer Merkmale auf die Aufrechterhaltung des Leistungssports für Nachwuchsathletinnen und –athleten bereits prospektiv zu erfassen und damit eine Möglichkeit zu schaffen, dem frühzeitigen Ausscheiden entgegenzuwirken. Ein großes wissenschaftliches Interesse besteht hinsichtlich der Prävention von Dropout gerade im Nachwuchsleistungssport. Mittels eines Modelles, welches den Einfluss der erfassten psychologischen Merkmale auf den Verbleib bzw. Abbruch einer sportlichen Karriere abbildet, können Maßnahmen zur Verhinderung von Dropouts ergriffen werden.

Denna rapport syftar till att ta fram ett modulärt dropout-system till en cykel, ett system som kopplar bakhjulet till ramen (det saknas en bra svensk översättning). Ett modulärt dropout-system gör det möjligt för en cykelram att använda flera olika typer av dropouts, vilket betyder att cykelramen kan anpassas efter olika användningsområden. Systemet består av ett fäste för dropoutsen och själva dropoutmodulerna. Det finns flera typer av modulära dropouts system idag men ingen standardisering av dem. Vid framtagning av systemet används generativ design i form av topologioptimering och en utvärdering av dess effekt på cykeldesign görs. System modellerades i CAD-programmet Solid Edge och innefattar ett fäste och tre typer av moduler, vilka utgår ifrån uppdragsgivarens krav. Systemet ska vara kompatibelt med bakhjul som har 120 mm och 135 mm breda nav där axeldiametern är 9 mm, samt 142 mm breda nav med en 12 mm axeldiameter, vilka motsvarar de tre olika modulerna. Designen var till en början enkel och främst fokuserad på de olika navens kompabilitet samt modulernas infästning. Anledningen till det var att Solid Edges inbyggda generative design-funktion valdes att användas. Denna funktion optimerar designen topologiskt utifrån användarens givna geometriska begränsningar samt de laster som designen utsätts för. Detta genererar en design av komplex geometri och används därför som en mall för hur den grova designen ska förbättras. Den förbättrade designens hållfasthetsegenskaper verifierades med FEM analyser som genomfördes med Discovery, vilket är inbyggd i CAD-programmet. Beräkningar på skruvförbandet mellan dropoutmodulerna och deras fäste utfördes, samt svetsförbandet mellan cykelramen och systemet, för att säker ställa att inga oönskade effekter på cykelns prestanda eller säkerhet uppkommer. Det resulterande systemet bedöms uppfylla kraven och ha tillräckliga hållfasthetsegenskaper, men det bedöms inte vara ett optimalt system. Det finns osäkerheter i det lastfall som användes för analyser av systemet och har därför dimensionerats mot en säkerhetsfaktor som tagits fram enligt Pugsley safety factor approach. Dessutom görs ett antal antagande vid beräkning av skruvförbandet. Det finns många fördelar med att använda Generative Design för att designa cyklar, men data på de laster som cykeln utsätts för och additiv tillverkning måste utvecklas mer för att nå sin fulla potential. / This report aims to develop a modular dropout system for a bicycle. A modular dropout system allows a bike frame to use various types of dropouts, enabling customization for different usage scenarios. The system consists of a dropout mount and the dropout modules themselves. While there are several types of modular dropout systems available today, there is no standardization for them. In the development of the system, generative design is used in the form of topology optimization, and an evaluation of its effect on bicycle design is conducted. The system was modelled in the CAD program Solid Edge and includes a mount and three types of modules based on the client's requirements. The system is designed to be compatible with rear wheels with 120mm and 135mm wide hubs with a 9mm axle diameter, as well as 142mm wide hubs with a 12mm axle diameter, corresponding to the three different modules. Initially, the design was focused on the compatibility of the different hubs and the attachment of the modules, before utilizing Solid Edge's built-in generative design function. This function optimizes the design topologically based on user-defined geometric constraints and the loads the design will experience, resulting in a complex geometry design, which was used as a template for improving the initial design. The improved design's strength properties were verified using FEM analysis conducted with Discovery, an embedded function in the CAD program. Calculations were performed on the screw connections between the dropout modules and their mounts, as well as the welds between the bike frame and the system, to ensure that there were no adverse effects on the bike's performance or safety. The resulting system is deemed to meet the requirements and has adequate strength properties, but it is not considered an optimal system. There are uncertainties in the load cases used for analysing the system, and it has, therefore, been dimensioned with a safety factor according to Pugsley safety factor approach. Additionally, several assumptions were made when calculating the screw connections, making the results unclear. There are many advantages to using GD to design bicycles, but data on the forces acting on the bike as well as additive manufacturing needs to be further developed to reach its full potential.

As a form of high school dropout intervention, many Tennessee school systems implement GED Plus Two Programs to provide opportunities for equivalency credentialing. With recent research related to the impact of equivalency credentialing in mind, exploration of the school and student characteristics and conditions that lead to nontraditional school enrollment appeared to be essential to future intervention and prevention program development. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perception of young people about the reasons they left the traditional secondary school program in a rural school system in East Tennessee to pursue successful completion of the GED Test while enrolled in a school sponsored GED Plus Two Program. Data were collected through a series of interviews with students, teachers, and administrators. Interviews were recorded and tapes of the interviews were transcribed. Using interpretive analysis, data were examined to determine themes and patterns. Descriptive information about participants was collected from the attendance and scholarship records of students and reported as part of the analysis. Findings were presented for each theme within the context of reviewed literature. Each student presented a unique set of problems and issues within the interview process. A strong placement experience, individualized instruction, supportive and nurturing relationships between students/teachers/administrators, and positive interaction between students were viewed by all categories of participants as important to a successful secondary school experience. Academic difficulties, relationship conflicts, teenage parenthood, chronic truancy, a history of discipline problems and juvenile delinquency, and a family background characterized by financial difficulties and divorce were linked to the decision to exit the traditional secondary school program. The value of program alternatives was emphasized. An examination of practices in elementary and secondary schools to ensure that students experiencing a lack of academic success or disciplinary problems be identified in a timely fashion was recommended. Specific recommendations for changes to current practice included the implementation of productive placement processes such as comprehensive student assessment, the provision of program alternatives, and responsiveness to the unique needs of young parents. The need for additional quantitative and qualitative research was also suggested.

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