Schools Across the Nation Boost Outreach Efforts to High Schoolers At Risk of Not Graduating
May 11, 2021
Soaring numbers of high school students are failing classes or are considered “chronically absent” this school year, leading to a nationwide push by educators to track down and engage older students they fear might not reach graduation after a year disrupted by the pandemic. A National Dropout Prevention Center report predicted a doubling or tripling of the number of students who were at risk of falling behind academically and not graduating, though graduation data for the 2020-21 school year is not yet available. In some places, districts are easing graduation testing or credit requirements in attempts to bring a diploma within reach of students who have fallen behind, though experts caution against weakening standards and expectations for students and the impact that could have on future life earnings and success in career or college.