Dropout Characteristics; *Dropout Identification;

Several traditional approaches to studying the student dropout are outlined. They include data collection on reasons given for dropping out and characteristics of dropouts, as well as follow-up study. The use of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (MCHEMS) Student Flow Model (SFM) is described t9., show how students could be followed as they moved through the institution during various time periods. An example of the SFM using the fall 1971 entering freshmen at Western Illinois University is presented. The SFR is shown to be a valuable tool in charting student progress through the institution and to identify those who drop out. (Author/LBH) Documents acquired by ERIC include many informal unpublished * materials not available from other sources. ERIC makes every effort * * to obtain the best copy available. Nevertheless, items of marginal * * reproducibility are often encountered and this affects the quality * * of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions ERIC makes available * * via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS). EDRS is not * responsible for'the quality of the original document. Reproductions * * supplied by IDES are the best that can be made from the original.