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Teen Spot covers: 1. Acne 2. Bullying 3. Dental & Oral Health 4. Internet Safety 5. Staying in School 6. Teen Depression 7. Teen Suicide 8. When Your Teen Gets Sick	Categories Sub-Index » Any number you select from left is listed on right column » Every category you select contains Sub-Topics.	5. Staying in School » Sub-topics: » None

		Teenagers undergo many transformations including physical, emotional, and psychological changes. They are developing their independence, coping with peer pressure, and adapting to the hormonal changes taking place within their bodies. Many of these changes occur between the ages of 13 to 18, but can start as early as 9 years of age in some children. Most of the time, this transition from childhood to adulthood is accomplished without any difficulty. However, some teenagers struggle with these changes and parents need to be aware of the warning signs.


					Whatever the reason, the decision to drop out of school can have long-term repercussions on the student’s income, occupational choices, and self-esteem. Students most likely to drop out » Students in large cities » Hispanics have the highest dropout rate » Students with disciplinary problems » Students who have been held back a grade » Students who have a truancy problem Opportunities and Earnings » Dropouts will earn $200,000 less than high school graduates and $800,000 less than college graduates in their lifetime. » Dropouts make up almost half of the households on welfare Nearly half of the prison population is made up of dropouts Prevention » Arrange for the student who is doing poorly in school to have a tutor or help with making up missed work. » Help the student investigate other options to help the family financially other than the student working full time. » Assist the student with understanding the repercussions of the choices they make that have a negative impact on their education. » Encourage the student to get involved in extracurricular activities.

	Staying in School Consequences of dropping out of school can affect a person for a lifetime. Studies have shown that high school dropouts are more likely to live in poverty, receive government assistance, stay on government assistance longer, be unemployed, and become involved in crime than those who are high school graduates. Staying in school is more important now than ever before. Years ago it was not necessary to have a high school diploma to advance in some careers. However, currently a high school dropout is unlikely to have the knowledge or skills to succeed in today’s technological workplace. Students drop out of school for many different reasons » Some don’t like school or don’t like the specific school they are attending. » Sometimes the student is failing and can’t keep up with the school work, while others have disciplinary problems. » Some have to go to work to help out with their family financial situation. Continued on right column »

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