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Some high schools have a 40% and even 50% drop out rate. Find out what students give as the reasons for quitting school.
If you ask someone who has dropped out of high school why they did so, they will tell you. The Statistics Alison Kepner of The News Journal reports that dropouts are a problem in many states but Delaware has had a consistent graduation percentage below the national average. Only six out of 10 Delaware high schoolers will graduate by 2010. Dropouts are more likely to be
When 500 dropouts, ages 16-25, were interviewed, they gave many reasons for leaving school:
Two-thirds said they would have tried harder if more was expected from them. Economic ImplicationsAccording to new U.S. Census data,
Student SuggestionsMany students do not realize the seriousness of their decision to drop out of high school. It is only later in life they realize the poor choice they have made. What do students suggest to improve the current situation?
What Is Working?The schools that seem to be more successful are trying the following:
The traditional high school format does not meet the needs of many students living in today's society. They need to see a relevance between what they are learning and the need in the world for the information. Thomas Frey's view of education in the future could just eliminate dropouts, Future Look of Education. How tutoring affects IQ. Related article: Punishment Doesn't Work Read previous articles on Educational Issues. Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
The copyright of the article Dropouts Give Reasons in Curriculum Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish Dropouts Give Reasons in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
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
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