Observation: In this vitally important area of how they related to fellow Corpsmen, o-ly 51 percent could say that the kind of kids they met in the center was good. The 18 percentage point difference between those in the Job Corps for less than three months and those in for more than six months indicate that this dislike is an important factor in early drop outs. Even more significant is the 24 point difference between whites and Negroes. Some of this feeling among the whites must be attributed to racial hostility.

Dropout or Kick-out

Just under one in five of the dropouts said they had beer asked to leave the center:

42.

More men than women were asked to leave, more in Conservation centers than urban centers, more Negroes than whites. The weeding out process apparently takes some time, for more are asked to leave after the first two months than during the initial period. Likes/Dislikes About Job Corps

To determine why the dropouts left the Job Corps each was asked to state in his own words what he liked about the Job Corps and what he did not like about it. He was then shown a list of possible reasons for leaving and asked to choose those that were important to him:

44

In total the likes outnumber the dislikes. Living conditions, job training, athletic activities, and education led the positive mentions. Next came meeting kids from other places, friends that were made, and the trips that were taken (including the one from home to the center).

While the top four positive items have essentially the same percentage (a range of 24% to 20%) there is one negative that stands far apart from the others: too many fights, too much stealing and trouble. The second largest complaint presents the reverse picture: 22 percent felt the authorities are too strict and that there is too much discipline. Next is the complaint about living conditions and food. Fourth on the list of negatives, 16 percent said they were not getting the training they wanted. One other negative stands out: one in five whites volunteered that they felt there

were too many Negroes in the center.

Observation: Part of the problem the Job Corps faces is apparent in the opposing complaints
of too much trouble and of too much discipline. Striking the proper balance to provide

a more peaceful environment without lax discipline is extremely difficult. This difficulty
is compounded by the racial hostility that exists.

Reasons for Leaving

Let us turn now to the list of reasons for leaving which were shown to each respondent: