YOUTH IN TRANSITION, V 3 - DROPPING OUT - PROBLEM OR SYMPTOM

• NCJ Number: 16491
• Author(s): J G BACHMAN; S GREEN; I D WIRTANEN
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 263 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Michigan
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RECOMMENDS CURTAILMENT OF THE ANTI-DROPOUT CAMPAIGN, GREATER EMPHASIS ON EARLY SCHOOL AND PRE-SCHOOL INTERVENTIONS, AND ALTERNATIVES TO TWELVE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SCHOOLING AS A MEASURE OF EMPLOYABILITY.

Abstract

A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF YOUNG MEN WERE SURVEYED FIRST IN THE FALL OF 1968 WHEN THEY WERE ENTERING TENTH GRADE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY IN THE SPRING OF 1968, 1969, AND THE EARLY SUMMER OF 1970. THREE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF RESPONDENTS WERE IDENTIFIED - DROPOUTS, GRADUATES WITH NO POST-HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, AND THOSE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN FURTHER EDUCATION DURING THE YEAR FOLLOWING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. SUCCESS IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, STRONG NEED FOR SELF-DEVELOPMENT, OCCUPATIONAL STATUS, AND COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL VALUES WERE PREDOMINANT AMONG THE COLLEGE ENTRANTS. THE STRENGTH OF THESE FACTORS WAS FOUND TO BE LESS IN DROP OUTS AND GRADUATES WITH NO POST-HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. THESE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS WERE FOUND TO CHANGE LITTLE AFTER BEING MEASURED PRIOR TO ENTERING THE TENTH GRADE. THE LEVEL OF SELF-ESTEEM OF THE DROP-OUTS WAS NOT APPRECIABLY AFFECTED AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL. EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND EARNINGS OF DROP-OUTS AND GRADUATES WAS DISCOVERED TO BE SIMILAR. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF DROP-OUTS WAS HIGHER, BUT WAS JUDGED TO BE RELATED TO FACTORS INDEPENDENT OF FAILURE TO COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL.