Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 The ffecE ts of Transitional Challenges on Ninth Grade School Dropouts Merlene Leona Jones Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Educational Administration and Supervision Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Walden University COLLEGE OF EDUCATION This is to certify that the doctoral study by Merlene Jones has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Elizabeth Warren, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Mary Hallums, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Jeanne Sorrell, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract The Effects of Transitional Challenges on Ninth-Grade School Dropouts by Merlene Leona Jones MA, University of the United States Virgin Islands, 2001 BA, University of the United States Virgin Islands, 1993 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2017 Abstract The high dropout rate of the United States Virgin Islands school district’s ninth-grade students is a major educational problem and the catalyst for a myriad of social problems. Ninth grade academies and extended school day intervention programs have benefited only the academically prepared students.