Creator

Dawn B. Hillman

Advisor

Weiler, Spencer

Committee Member

Armenta, Anthony

Committee Member

Vogel, Linda R.

Department

Leadership, Policy and Development

Institution

University of Northern Colorado

Type of Resources

Text

Place of Publication

Greeley (Colo.)

Publisher

University of Northern Colorado

Date Created

12-1-2014

Genre

Thesis

Extent

109 pages

Digital Origin

Born digital

Description

School districts throughout the nation are failing to educate all of its children. A staggering number of students, more than 7,000 a day in the United States of America (Education Week, 2011, p. 23), do not earn a high school diploma. Dropping out of school has a profound impact on the individual as well as the society. Countless prevention programs and interventions have been tried with little success. Too often, by the time educators identify students at risk, it is too late. This research study used a logistic regression model to identify students at the end of sixth grade who were at risk of dropping out of high school. Predictor variables included course failure in reading, course failure in math, absenteeism, discipline referrals, ethnicity, gender, and disability status. The dependent variable was dichotomous; students either dropped out or graduated. Based on the review of the literature, it was hypothesized that the predictor variables would be significant in identifying students at risk of dropping out of high school. Results revealed significance in the school related factors: course failure in reading, course failure in math, absenteeism, and discipline referrals. Non-school factors (ethnicity, gender, and disability status) were also found to be significant predictive variables. Implications of these findings have the potential to impact future dropout rates. As educators identify students who are at risk of dropping out earlier in their educational experience, strategies can be put into place to support the student. Educators have the opportunity to change a student’s path to graduation through early identification and intervention.

Degree type

PhD

Degree Name

Doctoral

Language

English

Local Identifiers

Hillman_unco_0161D_10358

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

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