Discusses high school dropout rate, the reasons students give for dropping out, and the economic value of the General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Describes efforts to prevent dropouts among at-risk students or to offer dropouts another chance to succeed in school such as the Champion Charter School in Brockton, Massachusetts. (PKP)

This study used the cohort method to determine the status of students who participated in the high school Attendance Improvement Dropout Prevention (AIDP) Program in 1985-86, one year later as of June 30, 1987. Among the findings are the following: (1) 41.3 percent had dropped out of school; (2) 7.2 percent had graduated or passed a General…

Today and every day, in neighborhoods and communities throughout Philadelphia, young people are making decisions that will change their lives forever. Some will decide to stay in school, graduate, and prepare themselves for college and careers. Others, who left school without a diploma, will summon the courage to seek out educational programs they…