Giftedness and High School Dropouts - Neag Center for Gifted ...

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Variables in the Study
Reasons for leaving school (F2D9AA-V): These variables were obtained from
the students' responses to the question, "Here are some reasons other people have given
for leaving school. Which of these would you say applied to you" Students responded
either "yes" or "no" on each item.
Parents' reactions (F2D22A-M): These variables were obtained from the students'
responses to the question, "Did your parents or guardians do any of the following the last
time you stopped going to school" Students responded either "yes" or "no" on each
item.
Use of time (F2D35A, B, E): These variables were obtained from the question,
"How often do you spend time on the following activities" A: Using personal
computers, not including playing video/computer games, B: Working on hobbies, arts, or
crafts on your own, E: Doing volunteer or community service. These were coded 1
(never/rarely), 2 (less than once a week), 3 (once or twice a week) and 4 (every day or
almost every day).
Academic plans (F2D33BA): This variable was obtained from the question, "Do
you plan to go back to school to get a high school diploma" This was dummy coded 1
(yes) and 2 (no).
Future career plan (F2D40A): This variable was obtained from the question,
"Which of the categories below comes closest to describing the job or occupation that
you expect or plan to have when you are 30 years old Even if you are not sure, circle
your best guess." The respondents were supposed to choose one among 19 categories.
Self-concept and locus of control (F2D57A-M): This composite variable included
13 questions related to self-concept and locus of control using a 4-point Likert scale.
Relationship with parents (F2D35H): This variable was obtained from the
question, "How often do you spend time on talking or doing things with your mother or
father" This was coded 1 (never/rarely), 2 (less than once a week), 3 (once or twice a
week), and 4 (every day or almost every day).
Peer relationship (F2D35G): This variable was obtained from the question, "How
often do you spend time talking or doing things with your friends" This was coded 1
(never/rarely), 2 (less than once a week), 3 (once or twice a week), and 4 (every day or
almost every day).
Socioeconomic status (F2SES3Q): This variable was constructed using the
Second Follow-up Parent Questionnaire data, and it incorporates the 1989 revision of
Duncan's Socioeconomic Index (SEI). This variable was a composite of five variables:
father's occupation, father's educational level, mother's occupation, mother's educational
level, and family income (NECS, 1994a).