Contributing factors of school drop out in 8th and 9th grade by Gene Bedley, Executive Director National Character Education Center

All too often we simplify school dropout using the “disadvantaged label” as the major reason for school failure.  I had a discussion with one of the former staff members of America’s Promise, Collin Powell’s organization. She revealed to me that 50% of the school Dropouts in Americas 94,000 schools come primarily from 1,500 school sites that are for the most part inner- city schools. If we look deeper to ascertain you would discover many more contributing factors  that lead to school dropout.  How many kids have simply dropped out and are still on the attendance list? While there may be others I’ve listed seven  major contributing  factors

1. Value Driven vs Activity Driven -The failure to identify your core ethical values to build your life around and clarify your belief system. “If you don’t have beliefs and convictions you live with negation!”

2. Failure to be connected to an adult who deeply cares about them. All kids have a chance when they have a positive adult role model ” You become like those you hang out with!”

3. Little or No Parental Guidance and support. Kids who lack having  a family who supports and loves them unconditionally “It’s to your advantage to have a Great relationship with your parents and teachers!”

4. Lack of initiative- Hormones vs Values- Self Management and Responsibility skills that are not valued and  mastered weaken teens from making wise choices. “Focus on your greatest ability- Responsibility”

5.Envy -Preoccupation with wanting to be somebody, have some thing that is part of and belongs to others delays personal growth and achievement! “You are a   uniquely  created unrepeatable miracle woven together like no other human being”

6. Lack of Steps in Achieving Goals-Even if goals are clear without the steps to achieve short and long term goals they rarely are achievable. “The willed future supersedes the logical future! We are  not just an exclusive  product of our circumstances”

7. Preoccupation with What’s Cool! Constant peer approval and validation from peers that contribute toward faulty thinking.” What’s Cool is not a requirement for life achievement or getting a job ”

Gene Bedley, Americas distinguished educators was chosen as the California recipient of the prestigious Milken Family foundations Award  for his work in Values Based Education. Gene is the Educational Impact Coordinator for Ambassadors of Compassion a program that is dramatically changing the dropout rates in American Schools.www.aoclife.org