H.S. Dropouts Say Lack of Motivation Top Reason to Quit

High school dropouts interviewed for a study released last week were far more likely to say they left school because they were unmotivated, not challenged enough, or overwhelmed by troubles outside of school than because they were failing academically.

Key changes could have boosted their chances of staying in school, said the former students, who were between the ages of 16 and 25 when interviewed for the study. The most commonly cited were teachers who expected more of them, schools that helped them more when they struggled, and classes that were more engaging.

The report’s authors emphasized that their aim was to explore young people’s reasons for leaving school at a time of heightened interest in the issue, and to spark a national response that would help more such...