The Silent Epidemic
Why Students Drop Out
Most students report that dropping out is gradual process of disengagement that could be reversed with more challenging coursework and support.
Dropouts from all across the country told us that most had passing grades, big career dreams, and were confident they could have graduated. They suggested what research supports that effectively combating dropouts requires—accurate information in schools about the dropout problem, higher expectations, more individualized instruction, alternative learning environments, better teachers who keep classes interesting, and more engaged parents.
- Nearly half of dropouts surveyed for The Silent Epidemic (PDF) said the main reason they left school was because classes were not interesting.
- Nearly 70 percent said they were not motivated to work hard and two-thirds would have worked harder if more were demanded of them.
- Approximately one-third left for personal reasons (to get a job, become a parent, or care for a family member) and one-third cited "failing in school" as a major factor.
- 70 percent were confident they could have graduated, including a majority with low GPAs.
- More than 80 percent said their chances of staying in school would have increased if classes were more interesting and provided opportunities for real-world learning.
- The majority said that higher expectations from teachers and parents and improved supervision in the classroom would have helped keep them in school.
- Parental involvement is also a critical factor, with students whose parents were only "somewhat" involved or "not very" involved in their schooling more likely to drop out. Many of these parents only became involved when they realized their child was in danger of dropping out and by then, of course, it was usually too late.
