A special report from Indiana University's High School Survey of Student Engagement, based on 81.000 student responses from 26 states, reports, "Today's high school students say they are bored in class because they dislike the material and experience inadequate teacher interaction." In addition, "the findings, show that 2 out of 3 students are bored in class every day, while 17 percent say they are bored in every class." Furthermore, lack of adult support and skipping school were also mentioned as reasons for high drop out rates among students.
"Six students in the Philadelphia public school system were each given a video camera as part of an independent film project. That simple premise expanded radically over the next two years, resulting in this profound and vital documentary covering the difficulties these applicants faced preparing for college while dealing with the daily trials and tribulations inherent in being a student in schools with a 50% or worse drop-out rate. While conditions may be difficult, the film does offer signs of hope", writes reviewer, Alexander Russo.
Students enrolled in Indianapolis public high schools face hard truths everyday. Indianapolis had the fifth worst graduation rate in the country in 2005; only 25 percent of black males earn a high school diploma. Student research teams at all five of the city's high schools have studied the problems and are adding their voice to the district's redesign effort.
In February 2005 the National Governors Association launched the Rate Your Future survey, designed to give them valuable insight into today's high school experience. By the end of June, NGA received more than 10,000 completed surveys taken by high school students nationwide. The survey let students express their expectations and frustrations about America's high schools and how the work they do affects their own futures. This summary highlights the major conclusions of an online study conducted among 10,387 teenagers ages 16-18. Section 1 presents the responses of students currently in high school and intending to graduate. Section 2 presents the responses of teenagers not currently in high school and teenagers currently in high school who say they plan to leave before graduating.
Civic Enterprises presents the results of focus groups and interviews by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, offering youths' perspectives on why they dropped out and what may have prevented them from quitting school. The report emphasizes questions about what motivates students to stay in school and learn and suggests policy alternatives to schools as well as state and national leaders, such as offering different schools to different students.
In the spring of 2002, parents and community members of Padres Unidos raised concerns about the low academic achievement and low graduation rate at North High School. Jovenes Unidos (a student organizing branch of Padres Unidos) members at North took up the call to investigate the low graduation and high drop out rates at our school and to develop solutions to improve it.
The Youth Law Center reports the results of focus groups for children in juvenile justice and foster care, describing obstacles to school completion and what might help eliminate barriers.