Confronting the School Dropout Crisis
Insights and Interventions From a Former Dropout
Foreword by Jim Rex
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.
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.
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.
