The purpose of this study was to determine if data routinely collected during the kindergarten year and at entry into first grade could be used to predict whether a child would be perceived as successful or not successful by the end of first grade. The need for immediate continued research on this topic was established through the review of literature, which highlighted the extent of the at-risk problem both locally and nationally. The growing number of at-risk students combined with the minimal impact of the educational programs mandates the need to identify these students in time to prevent school failure. However, clear identification procedures are not currently available and previous studies have raised substantial questions regarding the accuracy of early identification procedures. The presenting problem of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a set of predictor variables, and then to analyze these findings as to whether or not they were accurate enough for use as an initial identification process for subsequent classes. The primary research approach of this study was a longitudinal data collection and correlational analysis, with discriminant analysis techniques used to determine predictive accuracy. The study was limited to data on the class of 2001 from two elementary schools within the Washougal School District. The data collected and the subsequent analysis were used to answer six exploratory research questions. No hypothesis was proposed. This study used ratings and scores obtained from the administration of the Preschool Screening system, kindergarten teacher ratings, the School Success Rating Scale, and the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Readiness Tests as predictor variables. Criterion measures of school success/failure were: placement into special programs or grade retention, and end-of-first-grade evaluations of individual student success (report cards, teacher ratings, Gates-MacGinitie Reading Achievement, and the School Success Ratings Scale). The demographic variables of gender, age, parent marital status, and eligibility for free or reduced lunch were analyzed for their potential to exceed or enhance the accuracy of the predictor variables. Three types of measurement were defined and required in order for a predictor or predictor combination to be considered adequate for use in an identification process. These were overall accuracy, criterion sensitivity and specificity accuracy, and prediction sensitivity and specificity accuracy. An 80 percent accuracy level was desired on all three types of measurement. Findings of this study indicated that no single or combination of predictor, and/or demographic variables produced all three desired levels of accuracy. Various combinations of the predictor and demographic variables produced overall accuracy rates exceeding 80 percent for each of the criterion variables. Criterion measured sensitivity and specificity were found to be adequate for use in the prediction of at-risk students. Prediction measured specificity was also found to be highly accurate. Prediction sensitivity, however, was below the desired 80 percent level, indicating that the predictor variables over identify at-risk students. It was concluded that the predictor variables could be used in an identification process if mild over-identification of at-risk students was acceptable to the district. Any use of these identification procedures is assumed to be in connection with ethical intervention practices. Recommendations from this study included cross validation of the results and continuation of the study regarding the predictive accuracy of the identified variables as the students move through higher grade levels. The study also encouraged the Washougal School District to develop a formal collection and processing procedure for their routinely collected data.

The study was designed to describe an urban district's alternative high school population in terms of a conceptual framework drawn from three bodies of literature: dropout studies, supplementary/compensatory education, and alternative schools studies. Educational histories prior to alternative school entry were traced through district records and documents for 757 students and a focused interview was conducted with 81 students in order to obtain their perceptions of both regular and alternative educational experiences during their school careers. A qualitative data analysis was conducted to determine the study population fit with traditional descriptors for high-risk, to examine district responses in terms of educational program experiences in both regular and alternative schools, and to obtain insights into possible relationships between the two. Overall, the sample population most clearly matched traditional personal/social descriptors for potential dropout/high-risk in terms of sex representation, between-district mobility, and because they had experienced some period of dropout. Nearly half the sample had been suspended at least once during district enrollment. There was less fit in terms of grade-level representation, minority enrollment and school achievement. Larger numbers of eleventh and twelfth graders were enrolled than the literature would suggest. Minority students, traditionally over-represented among dropouts, are under-represented in the sample programs. As a group, the population is achieving in terms of basic skills competencies tests, but over half the sample has a history of participation in supplementary/compensatory and/or other alternative programs early in their careers. Students described teachers as the most critical component of their educational experience. While an instructional "helping" relationship and its consistent contribution to student success was often noted, a more personalized teacher-student relationship was mentioned even more frequently. Students identified early in their careers for supplementary/compensatory programs reported an affective as well as achievement-oriented dimension in those experiences, and described themselves as learners dependent upon the kind and level of individualized help and attention received in those settings and in the alternative setting as well.

This investigation attempts to identify factors which influence whether or not someone is likely to drop out of a chemical dependency treatment program. Dropping out is defined as someone who leaves treatment against medical advice. The subjects were patients from a private, non-profit, medically based, residential program. Nine demographic characteristics were abstracted from the charts on file for the patients at the treatment center. Two groups of 45 patients each were selected from the inpatient population. One group, the Completed Treatment group, comprised patients who had completed the 28 day program. The second group, the AMA Discharge group, comprised patients who dropped out of treatment within the first 4 to 10 days. The demographic characteristics analyzed were gender, number of drugs used by the patient, drug preference, method of admission, treatment history, marital success, social status, dependents living at home, and education.

No description available.

The purpose of the study is to develop a foundation of knowledge that could improve the current policies and procedures with regards to their implementation within the mental health services provided by the Children's Bureau.