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.
