The High School Dropout: Antecedents and Alternatives

Abstract

Administrators recognize that students dropping out of school is one of the most difficult challenges to our public school system. Today's school administrators can begin to deal with this crisis by becoming familiar with the characteristics of dropouts and the reasons for dropping out. This paper outlines what school administrators can do to increase their understanding of local dropout problems and to decrease dropping out. The suggestions include analyzing local data, instituting early tracking of potential at-risk students, creating alternative programs, reorganizing to improve school climate, and initiating new forms of student assessment.