<p> Exercise programs designed for cardiac patients frequently report high dropout rates. Little is known about the reasons for this high rate of dropout; further, little is known about health behavior patterns including physical activity subsequent to graduation or dropout from exercise programs. Identification of reasons for dropout and the pattern of physical activity after participation in formal exercise rehabilitation would provide information regarding achievement and maintenance of treatment goals.</p> <p> Entry characteristics were determined for 84 male cardiac patients (45 compliers and 39 dropouts) from the McMaster Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Program. Follow-up information pertaining to areas of: a) health; b) employment, smoking, activity, and dietary status; c) reasons for joining the program; d) perceived benefits achieved; and e) factors contributing to compliance with or dropout from the exercise program was obtained from 63 subjects (41 compliers and 22 dropouts) who responded to a questionnaire by mail.</p> <p> The dropout rate at the end of the 6 month program was 46.4% (39 of 84 subjects) with one-half of all dropout occurring within the first 2 months of the 6 month program. Upon entry into the exercise program, a significantly greater proportion of dropouts (43.6%, n=17) than compliers (8.9%, n=4) were found to be regular smokers. Likewise, a significantly greater proportion of dropouts (82.1%, n=32) than compliers (55.6%, n=25) were found to be inactive in their leisure habits upon entry. Dropouts were also more likely to be blue collar workers (71.8%, n=28), and younger in age (x̅ age = 48.4 years) when compared to compliers (37.8%, n=17; x̅ age = 54.3 years) upon entry into the exercise program. Upon follow-up, compliers were significantly more likely to report active leisure habits (85.4%, n=35) than were responding dropouts (45.5%, n=10). Compliers were also significantly more likely to report moderate work activity levels upon follow-up (54.8%, n=17) compared to dropouts (22.2%, n=4). Reasons for compliance to and withdrawal from the exercise program provided by respondents centred around psychosocial and personal convenience categories.</p> <p> Although statistically significant, the greater follow-up activity levels noted among compliers in this study appear to be only temporary, short-term patterns which tend to diminish with time. It is suggested that compliance-improving strategies be developed through further study with the aim of encouraging the long-term maintenance of desired behavior change.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on reading achievement for middle school students after participation in a computer-based reading intervention program, READ 180, as well as the relationship of program participation to later dropout rates, compared to students enrolled in a traditional reading remediation program. A nonequivalent control group research design was used to examine data collected from 384 students in Grades 6 through 8 participating in reading interventions spanning a 3-year period from 2003 through 2006. Independent samples t test and chi-square statistics were used to analyze data to determine the yearly reading achievement mean gains, differences between the effects of the two reading interventions, and later dropout frequencies. There were no significant differences between the treatment and comparison groups in reading scores during the first year of READ 180 implementation. Computer software problems affected the implementation of READ 180 during the first semester of implementation. The findings reveal a statistically significant difference between the effects on reading achievement scores for students who participated in READ 180 when implemented with moderate fidelity compared to students in a traditional reading remediation program during the 2nd and 3rd years of implementation. The findings in this study revealed that an intensive reading intervention, READ 180, can significantly improve reading achievement for struggling adolescent readers when implemented with moderate fidelity. Analyses of the data revealed differences between the number of 2003-2004 reading intervention participants and the school division cohort dropout rates. A significant difference was not observed between the 2004-2006 cohort dropout rates when compared to the school division rates. The findings in this study will be beneficial to secondary principals who are held accountable for literacy development, implementation, and evaluation as the school instructional leader. / Ph. D.

This post hoc study examines the reasons attributed to graduating from or dropping out of a rural high school in southwestern Virginia by four white males identified as learning disabled. Through participant interviews supported by archival data and essential informant interviews, a picture emerges of an ongoing process in which interactions with adults play critical roles. All four participants described psychosocial events, which led to a chain of events in which adults played decisive roles. It is within these chains of events that decisions were made either with the participant or for the participant by an adult. Two of the participants graduated from and two dropped out of high school. Each participant of this study describes himself as an individual with unique characteristics, relationships, and responses to psychosocial events. The psychosocial events and the resulting chain of events as described by the participants, could not have been anticipated. The participants' interactions with adults in regards to the psychosocial events could not have been scripted. Finally, the participants' interpretation of the adult interactions and the participants' resulting responses could not have been foreseen. Additionally, the participants in this study did not perceive the interactions as the adults perceived them. Previous researchers have designed studies to examine dropout data for the purposes of generalization, early identification and predictions. Future researchers may want to approach the dropout dilemma from each student's perspective. / Ed. D.

The Preparatory Academy was established in September, 1999 to improve academic achievement and reduce the dropout rate of at-risk high school students in a mid-Atlantic state. The study looks at the Preparatory Academy as a dropout prevention program for high school students. Students attending the Preparatory Academy are one or more years behind grade level and have not been successful in a general education setting. In addition, the students are identified by the school division as being at-risk of not graduating from high school. The Preparatory Academy was designed to address the increasing drop out rate and to advance students one or two grade levels in one school year, whereby giving them an opportunity to reach their age appropriate grade. A qualitative design methodology was chosen to evaluate the Preparatory Academy effectiveness from the eyes of the students who were successful in the program. Eight participants who successfully completed the Academy during the 2004-2005 academic year were selected from each participating high school. Students participated in focus groups and answered questions about their experiences, their beliefs, and their perceptions while in the Preparatory Academy. Seven staff members, three administrators, two teachers, and two guidance counselors, were interviewed to clarify Academy procedures and policies. The results of this study show that the Preparatory Academy is perceived by students to be an effective dropout prevention program. Students reported an increased commitment to graduation from high school and reported an increase in grade point average. In addition, data revealed students having a positive change in their attitude toward themselves and their education. When asked about the reason, the students gave credit to the Preparatory Academy. / Ed. D.

The decision to drop out of high school can affect a person's life in many ways, as lifetime earnings, employment options, overall health, and the probability of incarceration are all negatively influenced when students drop out of school. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the perceptions of faculty, staff, parents, and high school graduates regarding factors leading to the high graduation rates of students in a dropout prevention program during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 school years. A total of 15 one-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data around participants' perceptions of how the application process; onboarding and orientation program; academic progress monitoring and interventions; and social, emotional, and mental health supports contributed to the program's high graduation rate. Data were reviewed, analyzed, and coded, resulting in emerging themes across the data set. Themes were then synthesized and aggregated into four findings. Findings indicated the advisor role and the student–advisor relationship, staff training in trauma-informed practices, staff collaboration, and providing a flexible and responsive program structure were factors influencing the high graduation rate of students in this dropout prevention program. These findings were used to develop four corresponding implications for district and school leaders to create and maintain structures where students are supported by at least one trusted adult, provide meaningful and consistent trauma-informed professional learning, create an environment where staff collaboration around student needs is a priority, and provide flexible schedules and options for students to positively affect student graduation from alternative educational settings. / Doctor of Education / The decision to drop out of high school can affect a person's life in many ways, as lifetime earnings, employment options, overall health, and the probability of incarceration are all negatively influenced when students drop out of school. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the perceptions of faculty, staff, parents, and high school graduates regarding factors leading to the high graduation rates of students in a dropout prevention program during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 school years. A total of 15 one-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data around participants' perceptions of how the application process; onboarding and orientation program; academic progress monitoring and interventions; and social, emotional, and mental health supports contributed to the program's high graduation rate. Data were reviewed, analyzed, and coded, resulting in emerging themes across the data set. Themes were then synthesized and aggregated into four findings. Findings indicated the advisor role and the student–advisor relationship, staff training in trauma-informed practices, staff collaboration, and providing a flexible and responsive program structure were factors influencing the high graduation rate of students in this dropout prevention program. These findings were used to develop four corresponding implications for district and school leaders to create and maintain structures where students are supported by at least one trusted adult, provide meaningful and consistent trauma-informed professional learning, create an environment where staff collaboration around student needs is a priority, and provide flexible schedules and options for students to positively affect student graduation from alternative educational settings.

This was a case study analysis of the Opportunity School, an alternative public education program in Danville,Virginia that serves students who are considered academically at-risk, grades six through twelve. A case study analysis of the Opportunity School was implemented to provide specific information regarding the overall effectiveness of the program. In addition, the analysis attempted to: reflect on the worthiness of the program since its inception in 1993; assess the program's strengths and weakness; ascertain students' level of satifaction; address areas that needed further expansion and suggest recommendations, based on indicators of effectiveness cited in the literature. The case study analysis, which was qualitative and quantitative was the methodology implemented in this research. The case records included, focus group sessions, interviews, student questionnaire, typology--using Kellmayer's indicators, and analysis of students' records. The sample population for this study was students who participated in the Opportunity School's program in 1996-97. Sixteen students participated in three focus groups and 41 students responded to a questionnaire designed to determine their satisfaction with the Opportunity School. In addition, school records of 153 students who participated in the program for a least one year between 1993-1997 were analyzed using: paired t-Tests, correlation coefficients, standard deviations, means and cross tabulations. Analysis of student data revealed the Opportunity School's program may have contributed to the positive change in students' academics performance and disciplinary behavior. Other factors that may have contributed to this change are maturation of students and repetitiveness of the Literacy Passport tests, which was used as a barometer to gauge academic performance. Collectively the Opportunity School's program has provided at-risk students with a second chance to continue their education. However, to more effectively serve students, there are areas that should be strengthen and expanded. Some of these areas included: use and integration of technology in the classroom, more variety in curriculum courses, adding a vocational education component, flexibility around the time of day students attend school and a comprehensive counseling program. The Opportunity School in Danville, Virginia should continue serving students who are considered at-risk of dropping out of school. Students in the school perceived the program as meeting their needs, and were very satisfied with the program and the school's staff. However, if alternative program for at-risk students are to have have real benefits, merely labeling them alternative will obviously not do. A program design must incorporate quantitative attributes. To further assess the effectiveness of alternative education programs for at-risk populations more longitudinal studies are needed. / Ed. D.