What causes dropouts?

By Alisha Bentley
Sherman High School

People always say that high school is the best time of your life, but if that’s true, then why do so many high school students drop out?

I don’t think teachers can be blamed because you can’t force anyone to learn. Students have to be willing to receive knowledge for the teacher to be able to pass it on.

So if it’s not because of teachers, why do so many teens drop out of school? Students at Sherman had varied opinions.

“I think teens drop out of school because it isn’t any fun anymore,” said sophomore Skylar Thomas. “A while back, school was fun. The teachers did stuff to keep the kids interested. But now all you do is come to school, do work, go home and do more work. There isn’t anything to keep the kids entertained and interested in school.”

“The reason people drop out is because they’re lazy, tragic things happen or they’re sick of trying and trying and then not passing,” said junior Cicelly White.

“I think teens drop out of school because of the teachers and the work,” said sophomore Kellie Overton.

“Sometimes it can be to support your family if there’s a sickness or something,” she added.

That’s a good point. Some students have no choice but to drop out and get their GED. Things happen that are beyond our control.

Unless something out of their control happens, though, Thomas and Overton don’t ever see themselves joining the ranks of the dropouts.

“I wouldn’t drop out because my education is important to me,” Thomas said. “Plus, I’ve been in school for my whole life basically — there’s no point in dropping out after I’ve come this far.”

Overton agreed. “I figure that I’ve already been through 11 years of it, so I can make it through three more.”

Your education is one of the most important things in life. Everything you do after high school is based on the education that you received there. So if you are in a situation where you’re considering dropping out, think carefully and talk to someone to see if you can find another option.