Confronting the School Dropout Crisis

Insights and Interventions From a Former Dropout
Susan Bowman
Confronting the School Dropout Crisis
November 2024 | 136 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781071962169
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781071962145
Available from January 0001

Description

Reach out before they drop out

Student dropout rates continue to soar, despite decades of funding, research, programs, and professional development initiatives. This is a wakeup call.

Written by a former school dropout, Confronting the School Dropout Crisis encourages educators and related professionals to discover and explore the sometimes unnoticed reasons that youth drop out of school. With fresh strategies for prevention and intervention, this critical resource includes:

  • How to reach and recover students who are at risk of dropping out or who already have
  • Clear, impactful strategies that better engage and positively impact students who are at risk
  • Moving personal stories from teens and the author

Confronting the School Dropout Crisis invites you to rethink how you address real dropout issues with young people and how to incorporate fresh approaches to better reach and positively impact these students and their caregivers—before it’s too late.

Contents

Foreword by James Rex

  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Chapter 2: The High Costs of Dropping Out
  • Chapter 3: The Reasons Students Drop Out
  • Academic challenges
  • Disconnection/disengagement
  • Chronic discipline problem
  • Lack of school resources/supports
  • Technology/social media interference
  • History of chronic absenteeism and truancy
  • Bullying/school violence
  • Family mental and/or physical health issues
  • Peer influence
  • Substance abuse issues
  • Language/racial/cultural disparity
  • Extreme poverty
  • Pregnancy
  • Lack of Grit/Resiliency and a Self-Encouraging Mindset
  • Desire for more personal freedom
  • Author’s Personal Story
  • Chapter 4: What We Can Learn From Students
  • What We Can Learn from Students Who Almost Dropped Out
  • Insights from Students After They Dropped Out
  • A Landmark Study
  • Personal Stories from School Dropouts
  • Chapter 5: Strategies to Reach Students at Risk of Dropping Out
  • Addressing Students’ Mental Health Needs
  • Reaching Students Who Avoid Seeking Out Help from Others
  • Helping Students Find and Create Connection
  • Providing Restorative Discipline Practices
  • Developing and Enhancing a Personal Support System
  • Small Groups
  • Student Peer Helping and Mentoring
  • Home Visits
  • Encouraging Personal Strengths and Purpose
  • Starting Early Is Best
  • Remembering It’s Never Too Late
  • Peer Support
  • Author’s Personal Story
  • Chapter 6: Strategies to Strengthen Dropout Prevention
  • Chapter 7: Increasing Parent/Caregiver Involvement
  • Chapter 8: Advice From Former Dropouts
  • Chapter 9: The Rest of My Story

Additional materials

Description

Reach out before they drop out

Student dropout rates continue to soar, despite decades of funding, research, programs, and professional development initiatives. This is a wakeup call.

Written by a former school dropout, Confronting the School Dropout Crisis encourages educators and related professionals to discover and explore the sometimes unnoticed reasons that youth drop out of school. With fresh strategies for prevention and intervention, this critical resource includes:

  • How to reach and recover students who are at risk of dropping out or who already have
  • Clear, impactful strategies that better engage and positively impact students who are at risk
  • Moving personal stories from teens and the author

Confronting the School Dropout Crisis invites you to rethink how you address real dropout issues with young people and how to incorporate fresh approaches to better reach and positively impact these students and their caregivers—before it’s too late.

Contents

Foreword by James Rex

  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Chapter 2: The High Costs of Dropping Out
  • Chapter 3: The Reasons Students Drop Out
  • Academic challenges
  • Disconnection/disengagement
  • Chronic discipline problem
  • Lack of school resources/supports
  • Technology/social media interference
  • History of chronic absenteeism and truancy
  • Bullying/school violence
  • Family mental and/or physical health issues
  • Peer influence
  • Substance abuse issues
  • Language/racial/cultural disparity
  • Extreme poverty
  • Pregnancy
  • Lack of Grit/Resiliency and a Self-Encouraging Mindset
  • Desire for more personal freedom
  • Author’s Personal Story
  • Chapter 4: What We Can Learn From Students
  • What We Can Learn from Students Who Almost Dropped Out
  • Insights from Students After They Dropped Out
  • A Landmark Study
  • Personal Stories from School Dropouts
  • Chapter 5: Strategies to Reach Students at Risk of Dropping Out
  • Addressing Students’ Mental Health Needs
  • Reaching Students Who Avoid Seeking Out Help from Others
  • Helping Students Find and Create Connection
  • Providing Restorative Discipline Practices
  • Developing and Enhancing a Personal Support System
  • Small Groups
  • Student Peer Helping and Mentoring
  • Home Visits
  • Encouraging Personal Strengths and Purpose
  • Starting Early Is Best
  • Remembering It’s Never Too Late
  • Peer Support
  • Author’s Personal Story
  • Chapter 6: Strategies to Strengthen Dropout Prevention
  • Chapter 7: Increasing Parent/Caregiver Involvement
  • Chapter 8: Advice From Former Dropouts
  • Chapter 9: The Rest of My Story

Additional materials

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Confronting the School Dropout Crisis

Insights and Interventions From a Former Dropout

Susan Bowman
Cancel Print

November 2024 | 136 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781071962145 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781071962169 $35.00

Reach out before they drop out

Student dropout rates continue to soar, despite decades of funding, research, programs, and professional development initiatives. This is a wakeup call.

Written by a former school dropout, Confronting the School Dropout Crisis encourages educators and related professionals to discover and explore the sometimes unnoticed reasons that youth drop out of school. With fresh strategies for prevention and intervention, this critical resource includes:

  • How to reach and recover students who are at risk of dropping out or who already have
  • Clear, impactful strategies that better engage and positively impact students who are at risk
  • Moving personal stories from teens and the author

Confronting the School Dropout Crisis invites you to rethink how you address real dropout issues with young people and how to incorporate fresh approaches to better reach and positively impact these students and their caregivers—before it’s too late.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by James Rex
  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Chapter 2: The High Costs of Dropping Out
  • Chapter 3: The Reasons Students Drop Out
  • Academic challenges
  • Disconnection/disengagement
  • Chronic discipline problem
  • Lack of school resources/supports
  • Technology/social media interference
  • History of chronic absenteeism and truancy
  • Bullying/school violence
  • Family mental and/or physical health issues
  • Peer influence
  • Substance abuse issues
  • Language/racial/cultural disparity
  • Extreme poverty
  • Pregnancy
  • Lack of Grit/Resiliency and a Self-Encouraging Mindset
  • Desire for more personal freedom
  • Author’s Personal Story
  • Chapter 4: What We Can Learn From Students
  • What We Can Learn from Students Who Almost Dropped Out
  • Insights from Students After They Dropped Out
  • A Landmark Study
  • Personal Stories from School Dropouts
  • Chapter 5: Strategies to Reach Students at Risk of Dropping Out
  • Addressing Students’ Mental Health Needs
  • Reaching Students Who Avoid Seeking Out Help from Others
  • Helping Students Find and Create Connection
  • Providing Restorative Discipline Practices
  • Developing and Enhancing a Personal Support System
  • Small Groups
  • Student Peer Helping and Mentoring
  • Home Visits
  • Encouraging Personal Strengths and Purpose
  • Starting Early Is Best
  • Remembering It’s Never Too Late
  • Peer Support
  • Author’s Personal Story
  • Chapter 6: Strategies to Strengthen Dropout Prevention
  • Chapter 7: Increasing Parent/Caregiver Involvement
  • Chapter 8: Advice From Former Dropouts
  • Chapter 9: The Rest of My Story

Recent Product Reviews:

Susan Bowman's expertise and insight are invaluable to those supporting students who have disengaged from school. The powerful stories and authentic voices of the students amplify the impact of her strategic approach. Her work promises to transform how we understand, support, and re-engage students who have lost their path in education, leaving a lasting impact for generations.
Ed Orszulak, Ph.D., The Futures School
Confronting the School Dropout Crisis is an insightful and hopeful exploration of one of K-12 education's most pressing issues. Making the book particularly impactful is Bowman’s use of personal stories—both her own and those of individuals like Raynard from Excel Academy. These narratives bring the dropout problem to life, moving it beyond statistics to real people and their struggles. For example, Raynard’s journey highlights the challenges students face but also the potential for transformation with the right support and educational environment. Bowman balances sobering realities with optimism, underscoring that resources exist to help those at risk or who have already dropped out. Her book serves as both a call to action and a source of encouragement for educators, families, and communities committed to helping students succeed. An important read for anyone wanting to help ensure brighter futures for all of America’s young people.
Jennifer Leckstrom, Excel Academy of Englewood

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