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School Sux: Some Reasons Young People Don't Go to School

NCJ Number
160769
Journal
Up2date Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 1,8-9
Author(s)
H G Jones
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Based on interviews with students in Australia, this study identifies various reasons for school truancy and dropping out.
Abstract
Students at risk for truancy and dropping out often do not understand or are not interested in what is going on in class. Reasons for this include poor literacy skills in English, learning difficulties, transience, culturally inappropriate curricula, inappropriate grading, personality clashes, family commitments, and difficulty in concentrating due to external factors. Regular truancy results from social, economic, and emotional factors rather than a lack of motivation in the individual. Detachment from learning and participation even while attending school can also have its antecedents in social causes. One major cause students cite for finding school difficult is the complexities of achieving social acceptance by other students. This is a particular problem for youth who change schools often. Due to various circumstances, some students become homeless. For such students it is possible for schools to assume a preventive role, supporting students by providing them shelter and other survival services so they can continue studying as well as avoid the cycle of drugs, crime, and sex on the streets. 3-item bibliography