Most dropouts advise fellow teens to stay in school. “Find a role model,” says one dropout who returned. “Could be your best friend, could be anybody. Find something to believe in or find someone that understands you.”Sometimes it is not easy to find help and support, but they are available. Schools, families, and communities today are all working to help teens stay in school.

Support from families

Parents play a key role in preventing students from dropping out. Studies show that a student’s success in school is directly related to family support and expectations. Students are more likely to graduate when parents have high expectations, including that they remain in school. Comments from teens themselves show this to be true:

I have not dropped out of school because of my father. Before he...