Alternative education dropout prevention programs: Case studies
of six suburban programs The purpose of this study was to
identify the characteristics of six suburban alternative school
dropout prevention programs to determine how and why these
programs encouraged students to remain in school. The results of
this study can be used to further the research on alternative
education dropout prevention programs and to establish
guidelines for future dropout prevention programs. To do this
study the program characteristics relating to the academic
curriculum, pupil personnel services and extent of parental
interaction with the staff were investigated in six suburban
school districts. The major findings of this research were: (1)
The methods of instruction, class size, program hours, and
teacher/student and teacher/parent interaction varied a great
deal from the traditional program. These changes helped to
create a closer relationship between the teacher and student and
parent and a more informal school atmosphere t