Given the statistic that shows that students from disadvantaged families have a higher dropout rate, addressing the pressures of high school kids to get a job and start contributing financially to the family is a viable solution for educators who want to keep these kids in school. Offering flexible schedules is one good way to allow kids to work and help support the family while finishing high school at the same time. Offering child care for new parents so they can attend classes without paying for a babysitter is also a good way to address the obstacles that many kids face.
An attentive adult who supports, advises and takes a special interest in a student can be the difference between graduation and another high school dropout. With so many youth at risk, the question becomes one of how to address this huge problem. By providing students with support from a variety of community sources, students can choose to succeed. School-to-work programs offer one practical way to support kids by providing practical education that prepares them for immediate employment. Offering mentoring and tutoring support has also been shown to benefit children at risk.
Boredom is cited as one of the main reasons students say they drop out. Making learning relevant is a challenge that educators must face to succeed in challenging many students who get bored and risk dropping out. Building a connection between work life and school has proven successful for many at-risk students. Connecting students with internship opportunities and mentoring coaches provides the one-on-one personal support and practical perspective that many students respond to and require.
Early intervention efforts work. Providing children with a supportive start to education and getting them off to a good start from birth to age 3 has proven to modify IQ. Impacting a young child through a focus on reading and writing skills provides children with a foundation for continued learning.