Dropouts Give Reasons

Oct 16, 2008 2:35 AM

Guest :

Because of peer pleasure.

Oct 16, 2008 11:06 AM

Guest :

Our school lets dropouts return to classes to finish high school as typical high school students.

Oct 16, 2008 11:34 AM

Guest :

well as a high school student i think that teens come up with every excuse in the book and they want people to feel sorry for them when if they really wanted it they could get what they want!!!!!

Oct 22, 2008 10:57 AM

Guest :

I think students drop out because they have some problems dealing with friends and they have a hard time getting over it. Some students also have family problems, they have low self-esteem, or they either have drugs or alcohol addictions and it may interfer with school. Some students here at my school all of them look like they all love school but i was thinking that every student don't like high school because some of them don't like the teachers and friends. Well one day our 2nd hour class put in a survey and we went to classes that we picked and when we picked it the following week we surveyed a class and one question sayed are you most likely to drop out and some of them sayed often which is a huge difference when i said all kids love school that is wrong some of my family memebers don't like school so they either ditch or they just don't come to school they are at home when their mom is home but like lets say my cousin is at home and he is ready for school and his mom and dad are sitting there waiting for 7 a.m. to go to work and when it hits 7 they go and when they go my cousin stays home. I say it is not that easy ditching school your school can call your parents and say that you are not in school and your parents come home and they see you there and they asked if you have homework and you say no but they know you didn't go to school because the school called them and told them that you didn't come to school and you are asking yourself i wonder if they know i didn't go to school "OH THEY DO KNOW!!!" So next time someone is trying to ditch just think they already got caught. Some parents are very strick to there children about going to school my parent is like that i said parent because i only live with my mom and it is hard for me to go to school because i worry about my mom and the same time i live in the dorm and it is really hard to go to school sometimes i think i wonder if my mom is doing alrigh at work or if she is at home and it is hard for my mom to raise us because she works at the laudry mat she is not a nurse or a doctor we want to remodel our house but we don;t have the money to do it. I wish we were very rich and do anything like go to places but it is hard. We the students have to try hard to do everything in our school and in our lives just remember everybody is watching whoever is ditching even U. i just want to say to the students out there that have already dropped out or to the students that are still in school atleast you tried..

Oct 22, 2008 5:19 PM

Guest :

Well I just graduated from High school, and I am now in college and I would like to say that once in my high school career I contemplated dropping out too! I felt classes were too boring and that the teachers were concentrating too much on being on time, or something stupid like that rather than whether or not I understood the material or was learning period.I think the teachers need to be a little more motivating.

Oct 24, 2008 9:01 PM

Guest :

I am going to university to become a teacher and I am doing a report on school drop outs. I had a child when I was 17 and I still went to school every day and didnt drop out, I got him in daycare and went into university right after I graduated. Honestly, I think there are sooo many reasons why kids drop out. Boredom, schools are WAYYYY to formalized and teachers like to have authority, which I think is stupid. I personally believe that schools should be more one-on-one and developing relationships with your students so that they feel important and like they actually have a reason to come to school an are happy to do so. More reasons why students drop out: high-risk life styles (drinking, drugs, gangs, etc), family life is complicated and stressful, feeling like schooling wont get you anywhere in life and "why am i learning this anyways?", teen pregnancies, rural areas, taking the bus to and from school (this was a big one for me.. i hated it!!), bullying, drama, bias and discrimination (both from school staff and students), minorities, aboriginals... the list can go onnn and onn. But I feel, as a teacher, we have an obligation to keep these students in school and find where they are lacking in subjects and how can YOU help them. But, I lost my train of thought so thats all i have, lol.

Oct 27, 2008 1:49 PM

Guest :

kids drop out because they think that they cant succeed

Oct 28, 2008 7:30 PM

Guest :

where i grow up many kids dropout because they have to take care of someone. many parents are single one trying to raise all there kids and the child feel they should help out find a way to bring sometimme to help their family out. it may not be the best way of gettin money or the smartest idea. but they feel the need to help their family or their new baby or girlfriend or boyfriend.

Oct 30, 2008 6:52 AM

Guest :

Yea i think the majority have a learn disability such as cant read well...have trouble focusing or work too hard(job) to be able to focus. Dyslexia is also on the rise too

Nov 3, 2008 9:55 AM

Guest :

To me people drop out because there is no stable foundation at home. this all starts off at home the parents should encourage their children that if you work hard through your younger life then it will all pay off at the end and you can live life free. The school should make learning fun the teachers should do more in class to get the students involved and stay involved. All this excuses ex. takin care of parent,their on child or children first of all your parents should have loved you enough to tell you the harm of gettin pregnant and if they dont teach it at home the school she be next to that situation we all play a part in the high school drop out instead of people trying to fight one another they should love and encourage one another because if we dont have each other backs who will? so therefor this world should do more to help everyone out love one another care for one another.

Nov 9, 2008 1:30 PM

Guest :

because teachers dont care anymore if students pass or not. no matter wether their students pass or fail, they still get their paycheck. plus most states worry too much about AKS and standerized test more than the kids actually learning.

Nov 12, 2008 10:21 AM

Guest :

Hello, I'm currently in high school, and yeah, the "Drop-out" mentality once hit me this year. I just decided to keep pushing, and then I started asking my teachers for extra credit, or things I will need to succeed in passing. Keep ya heads up teens, I know life gets hard, but look at the positives please!!!! Please stay in school.

Nov 14, 2008 12:14 PM

Guest :

To many people critize and say that its postive critisium. But to you should critize a person to make them do better cuz then they have mental breakdowns and do things like cry, cut on themselves, hurt others around them. To stop themselves from hurting other people they try to get away from all man kind.

Nov 19, 2008 11:43 AM

Guest :

i am a freshman and i think kids drop out because they can not grasp the subject they are given or the teachers just focus on one thing and dont make it enjoyable

Nov 20, 2008 9:51 AM

Guest :

kids should not remember thier high school days as boaring they should remember it as a learning experience and maybe a fun one.

Nov 20, 2008 3:53 PM

Guest :

great article!! i learned a lot from this.

Nov 23, 2008 8:07 AM

Guest :

Sorry i just had 2 comment on what the gust said on Oct. 16th, nobody has it good like u in high school. You don't know half of the things some of us as teens go through even though u are a teen. I'm sorry that we disappointed you because we didn't come from good homes like you and had good support like u do so i don't believe its fair for you 2 judge the rest of us.

Nov 25, 2008 7:36 AM

Guest :

I think kids drop out of school because they dont like the classes they were givin

Nov 25, 2008 9:45 AM

Guest :

kids thats drop out of school are considerate faliures to me like you have a chance to have a good future but many kids dont want to use this advantage that will affect there future.....its called not being smart....it dont even matter if you come from a unstable home thats just letting every one know your a quiter and if you cant even make it through highschool what makes you think you can handle the real world ......like come on peolple have promblems all the times its life suck it up and become a better person from it

Dec 2, 2008 6:35 AM

Guest :

I agree with the guest from November 23, the guest from October 16 at 11:34 am shouldn't judge the rest of the people. Some kids do drop out because they think they're cool, but other kids drop out for reasons that you apparently aren't aware of so you can't judge them.

Dec 2, 2008 8:22 PM

Guest :

Many dropout because of friends, their grades, relatives, etc. But what really gets me is that it is also the parents. They say "Ah, you're GED is just as good as a diploma." but what they dont realize is that a GED gets you close to nowhere and is better than nothing at all.I hear that many of the students in my high school are going to get their GED, and I think that that is contributing to our dropout rate being the highest in the state of Florida.

Dec 4, 2008 11:43 AM

Guest :

i think its beacause the teachers need to care more and actually want to be there,,,,,, im in high school right now and its hard. its not that we want people to feel sry for us . thats not it at all ....

Dec 5, 2008 7:48 AM

Guest :

i think that teachers and students should be well involved in paying attention to what is going on around them ..... i mean because doing so can help it may only help a lil bit but still its helping and pretty soon others are ganna start to do the same.....

Dec 5, 2008 10:55 AM

Guest :

too many students are dropping out - period. How do we prevent them from dropping out? There are plenty of reasons they leave. Can we put more emphasis on the reasons to stay - to get the diploma?

Dec 5, 2008 4:49 PM

Guest :

Here is the story. I already took my ATB, and am trying to take the CHSPE to get out of High School. For all of the individuals who believe that dropping out might be from peer pressure, or just giving up, here is the real scoop. My grandmother is dying of kidney failure, an enlarged heart, and a failing pancreas. It is up to me to watch over her in the times my grandfather is away at work. Also, I had pneumonia for two months and fell so far behind, it is phenomenal.

It really isn't a bad choice to leave high school at all. What is a bad choice though, is what you decide to do afterward. Goto community college for 2 years obtain an AA and transfer to a 4 year... Or let life grab you by the throat and work at two minimum wage jobs trying to support yourself for the rest of your life?

As stated prior in these comments, High School is just a social and educational learning experience. Take it for what it is, but make sure you learn something about it before you take the step into the ocean.

Dec 9, 2008 10:13 AM

Guest :

i think student sdrop out b/c of drugs, teen pregnancy, and low self esteem. pure pressure is one of the number one reasons of drug abuse. so if u choose the right crowd you mainly wont have anything to worry about. family problems, and rape is 1 of the main reasons teen pregnancy is to come about; like some teens my age, im only 16, think if they have kids that their family will look at them different in an adult kind of way. and also if they do that they'll get the support and attention they'll need to feel good about themselves. alot of people can work this out by having family times and/or some counceling. Low self esteem, this comes about when a person doesn't feel good about themselves b/c of what another persons' say or what another persons' does to make them feel real bad or until they walk away. this mess up a person external and internally. to improve this situation u should take the situation to a higher authority, or u can just keep ignoring them.

i need help on a research paper about highschool dropout, and i just wanted to know can anybody help me on this topic?????

- Arvell (rockwood)

Dec 12, 2008 8:24 AM

Guest :

u teachers should make school interesting

Dec 12, 2008 11:18 AM

Guest :

I think people who drop out of school should try harder

Dec 13, 2008 3:28 AM

Guest :

Most of the students who leave school at an early age have poor families who are either unemployed or employed but low income, and their parents can’t provide theme with school necessities.

Dec 15, 2008 10:35 PM

Guest :

I think that the only blame we can make for dropping out of school is ourselves. Honestly, everyday people are dropping out of school because of all different excuses. Motivation isn't necessary from anyone but yourself. If you want motivation, look at your life 20 years from now after dropping out of high school. Are you working a full time job that supports more than just yourself? If not, then imagine yourself after graduating, maybe going to college from financial aid, and making it at least two years. A majority of employers are looking for people who have got at least that. Otherwise, you face McDonald's for the rest of your life. We all have our own motivation, and it does not matter what kind of family you live in, or who you have to support. You weren't born to take care of your family, and if that's what you want to do, go to school, finish. Because then you will be able to make the money to help take care of your loved one. If you are in need of money, people are always willing to donate things. There is no excuse for not being able to finish school except that you just didn't feel like it, or you are "too cool for school", but you're not. No one is. All the millionaires in the world today, no matter what their life has been like, have made it to where they are because of school and the things they have learned. So if you're too lazy to go to school or too finish, pity yourself, because no one else should. It is your decision to not succeed, because there are so many opportunities for you to do so.

Oh, And to the students who blame teachers for not making it interesting enough, or expecting more.. remember how they got to where they are today. They went to school to teach you the things that you need to learn. They went through the same boring stuff you did too, and past that, so that you would have some way of being educated and you could get a good job someday. So rather than blaming teachers because they aren't interesting enough, thank them for being there at all, and just do your work and finish school and make them proud.

And no, i'm not a teacher, but it really upsets me that people who decide to fail their life because they want to blame it on everyone else. You are who you are today because of the decisions YOU make, so stop blaming everyone else. You're your own person, so be the best you can be, or don't be anything. But don't blame others for your own mistakes. You can be anything you want to be.

Thanks.

Dec 16, 2008 1:34 PM

Guest :

its all just a joke they think education is stupid

Jan 5, 2009 12:49 AM

Guest :

I am a teacher, so I feel compelled to defend my peers. Most teachers DO want to be there-I certainly do. But teachers have little control over class size, and so much of what we have to teach is dictated by the state. So much of what happens in the classroom- emphasis on punctuality and attendance, is also dictated either by the state or the principal. You can't even hug a small child anymore, who might really need a hug, without fear of problems. We are supposed to care, but at a distance, to avoid liabiity. Having to watch your policies, and your back, every minute, is a real enthusiasm deterrent. Too much time is spent on CYA, at the expoense of TLC.

Jan 5, 2009 11:43 AM

Guest :

did anyone ever hear of self motivation? i'm a grade 12 student and i come from a family in which no one has ever graduated high school, most of my family dropped out at age 16 for various reasons and are all living off of the "system"... the only way i have made it this far is from self-motivation... i looked at my family members and i see their lifestyles, and i picture myself in the situation.. than i picture myself graduating high school, and having a better life and setting an example for my younger siblings and cousins.. and its much more rewarding. honestly if i can encourage any student to stay in school i would say get a goal. alot of students i know that are drop outs, dropped out because they don't know what they want or where they are going, and that can be stressful, having a 5 year goal plan can motivate you more to succeed. people have to stop blaming others for this mistakes and failures. TEACHERS are not paid to be you motivaters( yet they still try to best to be) they are paid to teach you the material. the best you can do is push through the fire and make something of yourself, 5 years from now if you drop out and your working minimum wage at McDonald's... who are you going to blame? you can only blame yourself? take responsibility for your own actions.

ANYONE CAN DO IT!

Jan 9, 2009 2:39 AM

Guest :

I have always had trouble with depression since i was a child, and i ended up dropping out of high school. The point is some children often feel they are truly alone out there and our teachers don't always understand that.I do believe there is a major misunderstanding in why people are quitting school and not everyone feels the same way.Take for example some schools have so much gang violence that some people often can't deal with all that drama.We all are different and all have some good/bad points.Life does not come with an instructions after all.

Jan 12, 2009 6:56 PM

Guest :

some kids used school for their jobs.(seeling drugs)some make arrangements to sell some were else like down the block,but close the deal at school.

Jan 18, 2009 5:42 PM

Guest :

Jan 19,2009
We are 1st year college students here in TLC,for us, students who dropped-out from school are crazy to think that life is more easier to face, when they stopped schooling....take for instance,they want to work instead of studying...
=>sometimes they stopped schooling because of emotional problems.
=>perhaps, they go to school just to see crushes...just to have allowance...and just to escaped household chores..

Feb 11, 2009 1:53 PM

Guest :

Lots of inconsiderate people think uneducated people are stupid. They just don't understand, and the people that did dropout of high school have an important reason of why they left. My mother left school before 15 because she got pregnant with a very forceful husband. My mother also couldn't go to school because she had family problems and was abused by her husband.

Feb 18, 2009 8:06 AM

Guest :

stay in school or you will be sorry.

Feb 24, 2009 9:31 AM

Guest :

You may find the drop-out prevention posters to be helpful. See at: www.pathway-pals.com

Feb 24, 2009 12:06 PM

Guest :

Oddly i just dropped highscool on this very day...i did so because of many reasons. One is because i do have several medical conditions that mess with my sleeping and health which makes getting and staying during school hours very difficult for me. Then because of said medical issues i have missed so much school that it will actually be more time effecient for me to get my GED and start community college next year. I know that it will be hard to start community stuff but it will be more time efficient for me and my family for me to do this now then stick with highschool for another two years just to get my required courses (by the way i am a junior, age 16). Also that the classes were really not involving and the teachers didn't seem to care so much that i learned anything but that i passed the state exam and got my diploma. I will miss my extra classes but life goes on and me along with it. I also like to think that i will have my associates degree when i am the age of 18. To me that would be a great accomplishment. Dropping out of highschool isn't a great option, not one i wanted to take either, but it was the best of the options i had left. I do not reccomend to drop out period and that's it, nor to drop out get your GED and then just stop there. College would definately be reccomended if you drop and get your GED. That is why most of my teachers and peers actually would rather me get my GED and move on because i would be held down by highschool. My main focus is that if getting a GED is really your best option then go for it, but please have a plan and do something with it. Do not just settle for a GED and be happy with your life. I know that doing what i am will not be easy but i will get through and move on. So take action weither it stay in school or get your GED and move on. Whatever you do, plan things out and do something.
Sincerly,
Anthony

Feb 24, 2009 12:16 PM

Guest :

Oddly i just dropped highscool on this very day...i did so because of many reasons. One is because i do have several medical conditions that mess with my sleeping and health which makes getting and staying during school hours very difficult for me. Then because of said medical issues i have missed so much school that it will actually be more time effecient for me to get my GED and start community college next year. I know that it will be hard to start community stuff but it will be more time efficient for me and my family for me to do this now then stick with highschool for another two years just to get my required courses (by the way i am a junior, age 16). Also that the classes were really not involving and the teachers didn't seem to care so much that i learned anything but that i passed the state exam and got my diploma. I will miss my extra classes but life goes on and me along with it. I also like to think that i will have my associates degree when i am the age of 18. To me that would be a great accomplishment. Dropping out of highschool isn't a great option, not one i wanted to take either, but it was the best of the options i had left. I do not reccomend to drop out period and that's it, nor to drop out get your GED and then just stop there. College would definately be reccomended if you drop and get your GED. That is why most of my teachers and peers actually would rather me get my GED and move on because i would be held down by highschool. My main focus is that if getting a GED is really your best option then go for it, but please have a plan and do something with it. Do not just settle for a GED and be happy with your life. I know that doing what i am will not be easy but i will get through and move on. So take action weither it stay in school or get your GED and move on. Whatever you do, plan things out and do something.
Sincerly,
Anthony

Feb 25, 2009 1:31 AM

Guest :

i am a student in year 12 and have been considering dropping out. i go to a private school and i love my friends there. its not the subjects or learning that is making me want to drop out. its the teachers and the way they put all their concentration towards disciplining the students of the offences they have created with their outward appearance. whether that is your hair being died or your skirt not being below your knee. my school is religiously based and being almost 18 and having your whole past schooling life with christianity being shoved down your throat and forced on you just makes you want to rebel against your school even more. i actually dropped out in the past week because i dreaded school everyday. my parents supported this decision entirely. my older brother dropped out and is loving life with every part of him. i believe that if u get a good career and are very successful in that you are earning lots thats a good outcome. but if you are not happy and dont enjoy your job, or life, then does that success count?? i wouldnt say so. i would rather be living in a small apartment on a very low salary loving every moment i have.
many people are saying ive made the wrong decision. therefore i have chosen to go back to school. i have only missed a couple of days but i ask myself if i am actually going back for my sake, or to keep others happy and not disappointed in me?? which yet again, makes me not happy but others. am i gonna need VCE for wat my career has to offer. i dont think so. its who you are. not what you know that will get you the furthest in life. wish me luck for all my upcoming detentions and getting pulled out of classes. :(

Feb 25, 2009 7:13 AM

Guest :

How about just plain lazy.
You can't get yourself up out of bed. When your mom has to go to work, (2 jobs) just to keep that roof over your head & food on the table!
Got news for you; lazy won't work in the real world!

Feb 25, 2009 9:16 AM

Guest :

i really dont see nothing wrong with dropping out!! not all the time you become poor, divorced, or needing government money. for example you could stat your CAREER early and start making money sooner!! so me as a DROP OUT THINK BEFORE YOU TALK..

Feb 26, 2009 8:45 AM

Guest :

SCHOOL IS JUST A WASTE OF TIME!! EVEN IF YOU ALREADEY KNOW WHAT THEIR TEACHING. WELL IM JUST SAYING THAT IF YOU ALREADY KNOW THE STUFF THEIR TEACHING WHY LEARN IT OVERS AND OVERS. I DROPPED OUT AND IM DOING FINE!! I HAVE MY PLACE AND MY RIDE AND HAVE A DECENT JOB..I DROPPED OUT OF THE 10th GRADE AND STARTED FROM THEIR ANDD SAVED UP MY MONEY AN GOT ME THE NECCITIES THAT I NEEDED! IM NOT SAYING FOR YOU TO GO AND DO WHAT I DID.. IM JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT IT ISNT ALWAYS BAD!! THE GOVERNMEMT MAKE IT SEEM LIKE EVERY DROP OUT IS EITHER GONA GO TO PRISON OR HAVE KIDS OR BE POOR,, BUT NOPE IT ALWAYS DONT WORK THAT WAY!! SO SORRY MR.GOVERNMENT!!!!! LOVE ALWAYS: a girl who dropped out.

Feb 27, 2009 10:58 AM

Guest :

i found that this article was very helpful to my report on drop out rates. Thankyou.
--
High School Student

Mar 9, 2009 12:10 PM

Guest :

no friends and loneliness.

Mar 17, 2009 4:02 PM

Guest :

honestly most of the people who have read this really understand the article...i might only be 14 but i know what its like not to be able to have some1 to motivate u,help u out through things,and well thats ok...
u just need to motivate yourself....slef motivation is the best motivation to me and im following in my aunts footsteps(most of them)...she i a great person....she graduated high school went to college and stoood in school she is my role model n no matter what happened along the way(2 kids in high school,married young ect.)she always found a way to manage...
wheather u have some1 there for u or not dropping out should have not been an option 4 any1!!!!!!

Mar 26, 2009 12:44 PM

Guest :

I think kids hate school

Apr 2, 2009 2:32 PM

Guest :

I think dropping out of school will limit your cahnces in evolving your life experinces. In the future many will get the best results from schooling and others will dread from what they lost. They all think things are some what a joke but when you really see the outcome of going to school you would wish you would have had the chance to go and re-do the past. It's too late then. So grasp it now while you can. Im not saying I'm living the greatest life at all. I got so many people who dont like me now and I'm in high school but I could never see myself sitting at home everyday looking at my parents when I could be out planning for my life when I hit 18 in two years. You just have to tell your self that the people around you are not what you are at school for. If that was the case you would be where ever they are.
Thats all Im saying. And Im promise its not where you want to be.

Apr 2, 2009 9:37 PM

Guest :

Hi, I went to high school and university, got my BA and it is still difficult. But, I do think students need to stay in school. In the long run the better you do in school the better chances you have to succeed in life and have a good career. It is all about choices. I think most students drop out because of institutionalized discrimination and also because their parents work too much and don't pay attention to them or don't tell them that school is important. Students who live in poverty are much more likely to drop out and this only makes things worse because then you can never get out of poverty, or it will be much much more difficult. Inequalities also play a part, some people are just born with privilege. Also, teachers need to be better trained to fit the students needs such as bilingual students and also bicultural students need bicultural understanding teachers preferably bicultural and bilingual teachers.

Apr 7, 2009 5:31 AM

Guest :

some students choose to drop out because they are constantly nit picked on every little thing they do that their teacher dissaproves of eg: writing on their exercise book! common on please what student don't scribble on their exercise book, getting suspended over telling a joke about toilet paper. atleast the child chose to tell a toilet paper joke then to say a sexual joke thats inappropriate. the child is picked at, kept tabs on pushed to the brink and provoked to the exent of lashing out swearing and cursing at thier teacher their dicipline is suspension. what child wants to go through all that mental exhaustion? having a teacher like that is a hinderance to their education, they a highly stressed and detrimental to our childrens minds. if the teacher can't handle their class then have time out don't look for the excuse to have time out. let the child learn in peace. I don't blame the child for leaving but I dissagree about choosing to leave.

Apr 7, 2009 5:55 AM

Guest :

My son has a problem with his teacher he is one of those students that the teacher chose to nit pick. he is now frustrated he lashes out at the teacher swearing at her. He is in IM support unit class. It is not in his nature to be disrespectful towards adults he has been taught right from wrong. Its not fair that a child who generally tells the truth doesn't get heard, automatically he is in the wrong. I suppose the teachers motto is to stick together! what can you do? My son had said that he wanted to go home one day there was only afew students in the class that day the teacher had said go on go home righ your mummy go home. so he rings me in the break we lost connection next call i got he is in the principal's office frustrated upset because the teacher had critcised him for the way he was doing a job she had asked him to do wich was to put pinholes in the sides of these masks and tie ropes to them so they could be hung up. she accused him of purposely destroying other students work putting pinholes everywhere. he didn't. he had to make the holes bigger so he put a couple of holes near where the rope had to go and then used a pair of scissors cause the rope wouldn't fit through the single hole. he got upset and say's fricken hell and walked out, went to the principal the principal has suspended him for it. is the teacher being childish? these are the types of problems that a child gets turned of wanting to go to school. I'm going to the school to see these masks that he supposedly mistreated.

Apr 7, 2009 6:15 AM

Guest :

I feel my son is being discrimminated against and its indirect discrimination how could you prove it? he isn't the only one that gets nit picked by this teacher there has been 2 teenagers who chose to leave because of the torment from this teacher prior to this year. another boy my son's age who is in the same class. because of their retalliation the teacher is the one talking what about my needs. fair enough what about their needs. the teacher has a duty to make sure the well-being of their students do not get inflicted. was it protected? no! now they are the ones to look like they are a menace to society.

Apr 8, 2009 10:09 AM

Guest :

i am a second yeatr senior neither of my parents graduted from high school and my parents are very supportive of me becoming successful and doing good in my feature, my mother lives off of the "system" as you all call it. my father however works for a pizza store even though he never graduated high school and dropped out at the age of 15 he os a very hard worker. my mother is a G.E.D. graduate

Apr 15, 2009 4:19 AM

Guest :

I dropped out my Junior year because of problems I had with my teachers and peers. I just didn't feel very safe, school was not a happy experience, and teachers did absolutely NOTHING about the hate talk and violence that went on every second of the day. Boys were very sexist in my school and when I approached a teacher about my problems they would say to "ignore them" or they would get a detention. Right after they got back to normal classes they would be even more vicious because I "snitched". I was sick of being harassed and not being able to sit back and listen in to the lectures. I just stopped going. I don't care anymore.

Apr 21, 2009 11:14 AM

Guest :

You mean pressure? Yeah, that's a big part of it

Apr 28, 2009 10:53 AM

Guest :

well im in eight grade well i dont get it why people dropout i call you stupid because its hard in school and they do it for a reason we'll be taking care of them so go back to school and get your deploma like i intened to get bye

Apr 29, 2009 7:39 PM

Guest :

Dropping out. There's plenty of reasons why teenagers would do this. They've given up, family problems, drama at school, a high stress home environment, poverty, no parents, becoming a parent unintentionally. It's easy to see why, but we all know it isn't a good thing. It's just the easiest. I want to drop out because I can't handle stress from home and at school and working all week. Then, I don't have time to just relax and actually breathe. Stress causes your immune system to weaken which leads to you getting sick, and thus missing school; which also means make-up work. Oh joy...

Apr 30, 2009 6:18 PM

Guest :

i think the majority is the parents don't push them to go. i live 12 miles from the tohono o'odham reservation. to me, there is a HUGE dropout rate there. kids aren't pushed or disciplined enough to know that the choice to dropout will have a serious effect on their lives. if you don't believe me, my girlfriend's sister has two sons both in the 6th grade. the problem? one is 14 years old! there is no action on her part to tell her son to go. now he won't go to school a all because he's embarrassed. ironic. another thing that i have seen is that they are rewarded for...well, nothing. its perfectly fine to live that way. but in all seriousness, all the kids that drop out in that area, end up living at home for the rest of their lives. the problem starts at home. fine the parents or something.

May 6, 2009 5:20 AM

Guest :

some student drop out because its really boring in school.....teacher dont even really act like they even care.... most teachers at schenectady high school like to just throw an assignment you and say do it whoile they sit around and talk about absolutely nothing..as im writing this my teacher is talking to another teacher about how yellow makes you go crazy...

May 7, 2009 6:26 AM

Guest :

depression, drama. sometimes its too much. it goes beyond the books.

May 11, 2009 3:47 PM

Guest :

having children

May 12, 2009 7:49 AM

Guest :

I dropped out to become an astronaut but I didn't become one.

May 13, 2009 7:23 AM

Guest :

I dropped out to become a porn star but that didn't happen.

May 13, 2009 4:06 PM

Guest :

i feel that many students drop out of school because of the work load,not good enough teachers, and a unstable home. I find myself not wanting to go to school and im a honors student myself. Sometimes i wake up in the moring an think of ways i could lie not to go because i dread walking through them doors. The work load is hard but motivation plays a big role also. When students go to school there is no reason no more and we have nothing to look forward too.

May 14, 2009 5:19 PM

Guest :

I think teens drop out because they have family problms. drug & alchol problems. I don't come form a rich family NONE of my family members graduated fom high shool my mom hade me at the age of 16 she had to drop out of school. And i just wanna comment the oct 16,2008 person saying "well as a high school student i think that teens come up with every excuse in the book and they want people to feel sorry for them when if they really wanted it they could get what they want!!!!"
You know what no they don't! Let's say you had me at the age of 16 what would you would you give me away or get an abortion?!?!
Well my mama didn't She had no choice cause my grandma kicked her out of the house she had nowere to go!
So i DON'T think teens come up with every excuse in the book and i DON'T thing they want anyone to be sorry for them!!
but i don't know you so im NOT ganna judge you like you juge Drop Outs!!
Im 14 And Giving My Oppinon :)
love the 14 year old girl;)

May 17, 2009 7:36 AM

Guest :

The road to dropout begins long before high school. I have worked with kids for the past 9 years and noticed that many of the do not have the ability to read and write (answer questions from texts, write summaries, and express themseleves). They also, have difficulties with basic math (multiplication and division) and when it come to word problems it is very difficult. Some how students failed or we failed them in providing the foundations necessary for achieving at the next levels. Also, students have lost their desires to achieve in the classroom daily. Can school be more entertaining, yes it can, but what do the students want. Often, when they are addressed and asked the questions, What do they want to be taught in school. The are very limited in responses and details about what they want. You may say that they are young and experience and can not come up with sufficient information, I think they can. They need to stop pinning the blame on teachers and the school system. They and their parents should work with the school system and provide SPECIFIC input that will bring about change. In your low socieconomic areas of many cities across the nation, communication with the parents is one way, that is from the school, calling the parents making them aware of some problem that was caused. Parents very seldom called or came to the school to see about their children. Problems with the dropout rate are more that what happens in the classroom, but what also happens outside of the classroom. I talked with many parents, and made home visits in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. He sre some of the responses that I received: I meet two parents, I carried on a converstion with the dad, while to mother went to sleep on the couch. I meet another single parent mother who also, was on dialysis how had two daughters that excelled in school while the other struggled daily and caused trouble. I am a strong beliver that you make contact with parents the first few weeks of the school, not when you are having difficulties with Johnny. This allows you to eastablish a relationship with the parents prior to any negative things happening. I have had parents make comments, Mr. P, I have talked to you more in the past 3 months than I have had in Johnnies entire school career. I said these things to say this parents, teachers, administrators, and school boards together must wage war against not being able to read and write. Children cant' afford to lose.

May 19, 2009 10:33 PM

Guest :

I almost dropped out sophomore year cause my parents pushed me too hard... My dad has put me through hell trying to get me to do good in school, I've been threatened to be sent to boot camp, and since grades come around my b-day, in 6th, 7th, and 10th grade i got all my stuff taken away, I still get humiliated in front of my step family for not being the straight A student that they expect me to be, and in front of my dads co-workers for not keeping my grades up, my step grandma thinks I'm an alcoholic loner that should have been put in military school because i don't care for education, and everyday i pray that I'll make it past the BS to just leave those memories behind... the friendships, the music, the people, the memories from outside of school, keep me sane, but every time i think bout how much BS I've endured just to humor my parent this much, i just want to quit.

because of all this humiliation and stuff, June 10th, on graduation, i already committed to not walking just to get back at my parents by getting a job that starts a 5pm and ends at 10pm, the time the ceremony is at.

all in all, some parents push their kids too much and too hard...

if you want to chat it up...
myspace.com/jonchihuahua
just add me and tell me what you think.

May 20, 2009 1:41 PM

Guest :

Why do students drop out of high school? Their reasons are many. Some are personal, such as pregnancy or the need to help support their families. Most, however, are school-related. Most students who dropped out were doing poorly in school, and many felt that their teachers didn’t care. Only 18 percent reported to the NCES that they had passing grades in their last year of school. Often, dropouts felt that they didn’t fit in, or they couldn’t get along with their teachers or students.

May 24, 2009 10:44 PM

Guest :

This is because our education is an epic failure beyond comprehension. The entire systme needs to be torn down and restructured. It currently does more harm than good!
Most of these students that do graduate from high school are just as dumb as those that drop out. Apparently, there is still a stigmata against drop outs.

Now, while I don't advocate dropping out, I still think people overreact to it. Remember, it doesn't matter what happened in school (school is just a pointless game), but how you approach life. A third of my senior graduating class dropped out. I knew about half of them were brilliant people and would make it through life without incident.
Years later, I've come to know a few of them as business owners and mortgage brokers, they knew what they needed and knew how to attain it.

So don't pass off high school drop outs as nothing more than McDonald's workers. Rest assured; it's more than likely that you, the high school or even college graduate will end up working for minimum wage too, and you'll have over $80,000 of debt to start with. Have fun!

May 31, 2009 11:33 AM

Guest :

I agree

Jun 2, 2009 10:33 AM

Guest :

Thank you to all who commented to this article and to the people who posted this article. I am in college and writing a paper on the federal government changing the law that states you must be sixteen to drop out to you must graduate. The responses that everyone gave gives me a lot of info to write my paper....i agree with a lot of you....but some of you are being a little harsh....i understand that dropping out is a very bad thing and frowned upon by society....i just graduated from high school and this is my third semester in college and i believe that people do drop out for a number of reasons. The reasons seem right to the student but the way we are going to stop this is improving the educational system....i thought about dropping out of high school, but now that i am in college i am very glad i didnt. If i would have had some of the professors i have now in high school, i would have had a blast. A couple of the teachers do care about the students....you just have to find those teachers and connect with them. a lot of the reasoning also comes from the fact that our economy is so low right now that students think that even if they graduate they will have to get a degree of some sort to even get a job and that is too hard! I think we have a major crisis on our hands and something needs to be done immediately!

Jun 7, 2009 11:36 PM

Guest :

i dropped for a number of reasons
once i had lost my motives to even get up in the morning then i realized why am i even getting up anyways?
im a year behind...........you know what its just hard seeing your classmates recieve their proof of education and you sit back and watch to give praise it really stings
but hey i realized i am a grade a failure but i can always build i guess. i dunno do what you want people

Jun 24, 2009 4:11 AM

Guest :

A lot of kids drop out for social reasons. Try thinking like a high school student--what would upset them so much that they felt the need to leave and never come back? Without social/emotional stability, How would they manage to focus, or function?

I dropped out because I was being harassed by the people who were once my best friends. My grades dropped dramatically, and I just couldn't focus or function under the stress. Ironically, I've been depending on high school to be perfect my entire life. I didn't belong there anymore, and everyone made it more than clear to me that I was no longer wanted there. I followed my friends to high school. I wanted to go to a magnet school, but they persuaded me to come with them. They were the first friends I'd ever been with for that long and they brutally dumped me. I lost five of my best friends by both circumstance and consequence. My high school experience is gone forever. Nonetheless, I'm excited about getting a GED and taking classes at college. I think it'll be a lot of hard work (seriously), but I think it'll be fun, too. What I'm really hoping is that I make good friends at community college, and later on, at university. I'm never going to experience high school (and who knows, maybe that's a good thing! there's always something to be gained by taking an alternative route), but I don't want that to affect my chances at making new friends, and moving on. If they hadn't dumped me, I would never have reconnected with my old middle school friends, and I would never have thought to make new friends at neighboring high schools. My life revolved around them before--I'm finally free. I'm grateful for the independence, and the chance to reinvent myself, despite everything I went through. My schedule will allow me to have enough free time to get a part-time job and meet new people. I've already made a lot of new friends--just not best friends, yet. It took four years for me to get as close as I did with my old best friends. It may take that long, but as long as it will happen someday, I'll do whatever I can. I have faith in myself.

From February to May this year, I've been home-schooled. And, surprisingly, I've gotten out a lot more than I would have otherwise. I've made friends. I can't wait for what happens next. I say, bring it on. I'm 15 years old, I'm college-bound, and my only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. Best of all, I'm going to be ahead of all of my classmates, which is very satisfying!

Jun 29, 2009 2:02 PM

Guest :

Im in the process of dropping out and my reasonings are that I'm wasting my youth, I could be dead in a year and I don't want to waste it in school. Also all of my role models are drop-outs. I'm miserable in school-I have no friends, I don't do work. I have depression which probably plays a big role.

Jul 5, 2009 8:45 PM

Guest :

I think some students drop out from school because of the lack of resources available aroun them,like money. So their parents are unable to support them or pay their tuition fees. Some come from poor family bakgrounds but they have good academic performances and they keep tryin,while others look for alternatices, to work.

Jul 29, 2009 1:32 PM

Guest :

If you really want to know why you should stay in school read the only comment on February 26. This poor girl does not even use proper grammer. How is someone supposed to get a decent job speaking in the way that she does? Its just pathetic. Yeah, she might have a "ride", but what kind of a ride is it? What year was it made in? I'm sure it is not new. Just think of your life 20 years from now and see where you expect yourself to be. You need to stay in school!

Aug 7, 2009 1:30 PM

Guest :

My job pays me 20,000 A year and if i stay for 5 to 10 years i can be making 78,000 a year. but i woild rather finish high school and get a job that starts me off at 78,000 a year and goes up.

Aug 20, 2009 11:49 AM

Guest :

am doing a propject about school dropouts and its very sad

Aug 25, 2009 9:33 AM

Guest :

I think you all are trying to look to deep into the problem,why don't kids go to school now-a-days, not because classes are boring, because teachers are boring. Personally, my child will be home schooled, I refuse to dump my child off into the care of a complete stranger, no matter what their "qualifications" are. If teachers put the effort into each child that they would their own, The problem would be less sever then it is!

Sep 1, 2009 10:47 AM

Guest :

The National Guard Youth Challenge program is a program specifically targeting dropouts. It is in 30 states and has a mentor component attached. It is free because it is state and federally funded. I work at the Grizzly Youth Academy in California and our success rate is about 90%. I think this is because the students live on our campus for 5 1/2 months and REALLY get the opportunity to change their way of doing things. They can earn 55 credits to go back to high school, or get a diploma or GED. The structure and support are key to the success of the students. There is absolutely no military committment attached. We are just here to stem the incredible tide of dropouts. It's amazing that more people don't know about our programs... I personally have seen some real miracles. Our students leave after 5 1/2 months but they have a screened, trained, friendly match mentor in their home community. These mentors will work with the student for 12 months and report back to the program. That's how we get our statistics that 90% of the kids that leave, are back in school, or if they have graduated or gotten their GED, they are working and becoming good citizens. We must report to Congress to keep our funds intact, so our data is VERY important. The schools that work with us referring potential dropouts, get a much better student returning to school. You can visit our national website at www.ngycp.org/ca These programs have been around for 18 years...It's time everyone knew about them. They Save Lives.
Suzy Elwell, Grizzly Youth Academy, San Luis Obispo CA.
A National Guard Youth Challenge program.

Sep 19, 2009 5:26 PM

Guest :

alll this information out in here help me allot for my report
im a freshman n i volunteer for a CSI YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAM and this program we help students get motivation from us to continue HS
we dont want students droping out we want them to succed n hav a good career
n we r fighting crime on some naighborhoods that are in the ghetto
thank u all who had left comments it really truly help
from
a student from Carmen High School of Science and Technology

Sep 20, 2009 5:22 AM

Guest :

I dropped out due to lack of interest and necessity. I wasn't doing anything in school that I hadn't taught myself earlier. I also dropped out due to the power imbalance between students and staff. The staff frequently forgot that they work for the students and not the other way around. Basically, the school administrators and teachers thought they had every right to force me (not) to do things that had no affect on anyone but myself, and that's not right. And how they demanded I respect them immediately while not granting me the same respect. And the whole "blindly obey commands, do not question authority" thing. Also, the compulsion of attendance added to my resolve to leave; it is natural to not want to do something one is being forced to do.

To the other commentators, it is inaccurate to assume all high school dropouts are stupid and lazy. Sure, some are, but so are many high school graduates. School grades and diplomas do not measure intelligence - they measure a person's temporary memory and willingness to shut up and do as they're told.

As for everyone claiming that dropouts are doomed to minimum wage jobs for the rest of their lives, that is also incorrect. Dropouts can get a GED and go to community college for a couple years, then transfer to a college after. Dropouts can also be self employed. There are so many successful high school dropouts, just do a quick internet search. Graduating high school just makes it all easier - I could even argue that it's actually graduates who are lazy rather than dropouts.

People make too many negative, judgmental assumptions about dropouts and about the necessity of a high school diploma. Maybe doing objective research would be beneficial.

Sep 20, 2009 7:27 AM

Guest :

i wanted to drop out jus last week nd i was actually goin threw wit it but then i realize hw dumb of a choice tht would b and im goin back to school on monday to get it together its jus not worth i im in my senior year nd i graduate in january cus i have enuff credits to do tht im an honor student nd to throw tht away it was jus a waste of time all the work i put into my high school year... yea i mite hate the school im goin to the teachers and even the students but i wont havve to deal with them for long so wish me luck cus i will wlk across the stage

Sep 29, 2009 7:52 AM

Guest :

Teens dropout because of lack of interest in classes and activities. Most teens feel bored in their classses or uniterested in their teachers.The work may be to complicated or unfamiliar to the student. They figure they don't have to do it because it's hard or it might not be one of their strongest subjects or lessons. A way to change this problem is to add more extra-curricular activities in the schools.We could also hire more teachers who are agreeing toteach in a more fun, but educated way. Students would appreciate the work and teachers more.
Together we can help tutor pupils and stop them from dropping out of school at an early age.YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oct 19, 2009 4:48 PM

Guest :

School is just... ugh. Its really sad that i even consider dropping out. I hate it, its soo boringI deal though... I'm trying not to take the easyway out.

Oct 20, 2009 11:19 PM

Guest :

Because you drop out of high school doesn't mean you can't continue with your education. I dropped out at 16, immediately took my GED, and still had an acceptable ACT score (22) to get into a state university. Probably wasn't as well-prepared, particularly in mathematics, but I did try to educate myself at home with borrowed textbooks as a teen and enrolled in a university correspondence course to demonstrate my readiness to continue my education. Filled out my FAFSA, received student loans, and enrolled right along with my peers. A decade later, attending school where and when possible while working common jobs, I finally have my Bachelor of Science degree.

People ought not assume that missing a couple years of high school will put an end to your future ambitions. Might slow them down, but it depends on one's personal drive. I'm up to my eyeballs in student loan debt since dropping out hindered my eligibility for scholarships initially, but what can you do? Some of us had to go to work earlier than others. We make up time where we can.

Now, if you quit high school and fail to get a GED, that can be a real problem. Once you have that, it's just a step away from enrolling in courses, even if at a local community college. There's no shame in trying to better ourselves.

Oct 22, 2009 10:49 PM

Guest :

I'm very proud for the people who study hard and do their best. many people says school is the key and answer for everything. But for me GOD is the answer and key for everything. If you believe in God and praise him, he will provide everything you need. So Teens let me give you an advice, Let our Lord God be in your heart and believe in him. Ask Him to help you graduate in school. I'm sure he will answer your prayers.

Oct 25, 2009 4:14 PM

Guest :

Some of the reasons why I am dropping out of high school were mentioned in the article. Things like shere boredom and irrelevance to the "real world" are definitely contributing factors. Not to mention hacing to raise my hand to speak or go to the bathroom at nearly 17 years old. ;)

Oct 26, 2009 7:33 AM

Guest :

I believe that some students just do not feel like they have to do something because it seems ard and therefore they fail, leaving them feeling totally helpless. Then they drop out because they are so far behind that it is just not worth it.

Oct 28, 2009 5:56 AM

Guest :

There are to many reasons behng ones personal choice to dropout, My mom was from a family of non divorced yet abusive parents, she did not drop out, but senior year she didnt have the graduating credits either and they move her on anyhow. Well My mom and dad divorced before I was 1, my mom was a single parent, unabusive, I saw my dad maybe twice, Well I ended up dropping out preganat and very excited about it at 14 cause i was going to have that fullfillment i lost thru divorced parents, i never returned i now know with todays requirements I wouldnt do well at all...Aaha so there are many people many lifestyles many reasons

Oct 30, 2009 9:39 AM

Guest :

Go back to school and atleast try to get a good job instead of wasting your time letting life go bye...

Oct 30, 2009 9:40 AM

Guest :

I think high school students drop out because there confused and don't know what to do and kids in high school drop out for a dumb reason dtay in school and have a successful life and have a house not a card board box thats why I say staying in school is better so you get smart and become a doctor and live your dream life but when your like 16 don't drop out you can become a doctor and ive a successful life

Oct 30, 2009 12:57 PM

Guest :

Its not Sayed its said