Author Description

A two-phase study examined the incidence and nature of dropout and progression from basic skills programs in England and Wales. During the first (retrospective) phase, data about 1,920 students' attendance/dropout patterns and reasons' for finishing/leaving their basic skills programs were obtained from 82 tutors (of more than 300 contacted) in 8 local education authorities (LEAs). Also in phase 1, 176 of approximately 636 former students originally contacted by their tutors and 1 LEA completed surveys. In the second (concurrent) phase, 4 sets of data about 800-1,200 students were collected from 59 to 35 tutors in each of 7 LEAs. Of the program leavers, 10% progressed to further education or training schemes, 17% moved/advanced to other classes, and 10% found/changed employment. According to the tutors, 5% of leavers attained their desired level of skills/training and only 1% were dissatisfied with their programs. According to the leavers, however, 10% had achieved the skills/training levels they desired and 7% were dissatisfied with their programs. More than one-third of students left basic skills tuition for reasons unknown to their tutor. (Contains 18 references, a glossary, and tutor questionnaires.) (MN)