Why do a third of American high school students leave school without a diploma? What might help keep them in school, engaged and learning?

A survey released in March 2006 put these and related questions to a group that isn’t usually asked for opinions on American education—high school dropouts. Nearly 500 former students who had attended schools in 25 locations were polled. Researchers found that although some dropouts had faced academic problems, the overwhelming majority possessed the potential to graduate. Further, the students had strong and thoughtful opinions on what might have kept them in school.

Among the survey's major findings, as reported in The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives on High School Dropouts:

Why do students drop out?

• 47 percent of dropouts said classes weren't interesting
  
  
• 43 percent had missed too many days of school and couldn't catch up
  
  
• 38 percent said they had too much freedom and not enough rules in life
  
  
• 35 percent said they quit because they were failing in school
  
  
• 32 percent said they had to get a job and make money

What are dropouts' experiences in high school? 

• 88 percent had passing grades, and 70 percent said they could have graduated if they had tried
  
  
• 69 percent were not motivated to work hard; 66 percent would have worked harder if more had been demanded of them

How do dropouts feel about their decision?

• 81 percent said they now believe graduating from high school is important to success in life
  
  
• 74 percent said if they were able to relive the experience, they would have stayed in school
  
  
• 47 percent agreed it was hard to find a good job without a diploma

What might have kept dropouts in school?

• 81 percent called for more "real-world" learning opportunities
  
  
• 75 percent wanted smaller classes with more individual instruction
  
  
• 71 percent favored better communication between parents and schools and more involvement from parents

The Silent Epidemic recommends steps that schools, families, communities, and government can take to improve the nation's high school graduation rate.

Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research Associates conducted the study, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Download the full report (1.1 MB PDF file).

Download the summary (197 KB PDF file).