| The purpose of this study was to investigate at-risk factors that affect dropout rates in Arkansas public schools. The study gathered information from superintendents of Arkansas public school districts, to identify at-risk characteristics of the students as well as examine selected characteristics of the districts.;Each superintendent in the state was mailed a 19 question survey. The data analysis was made from the completed responses. Eighty-five percent of the superintendents returned a completed questionnaire.;Part of the questions were demographic, with several opinion and perception questions directed at the superintendents. Analysis of the data indicated that location, socio-economic status, participation in extra-curricular activities, and the number of minority students were predictors of increased numbers of dropout rates.;Seventy-six percent of the superintendents felt a minimum grade point requirement for participation in extra-curricular activities would adversely affect dropout rates. Also, eighty-seven percent did not believe Arkansas would reach a ninety percent graduation rate by the year 2000. |
