“Dropping Out,” Drifting Off, Being Excluded: Becoming Somebody Without School
By John Smyth et. al.

This book explores how teens’ voices are lost in the educational process, and how this contributes to the teen drop out rate. If you’re feeling unheard and excluded at your school, this might be a good book for you.

Be Cool Stay in School: With over 100 Reasons to Do So from the Dropout Patrol
By Jason Summey

This is a great book, put together by a teen concerned with the problem of kids dropping out and why they do it. The author has compiled many reasons to stay in school (some humorous and others very serious) which you will find useful if you’ve contemplated quitting school.

Dropping Out or Hanging in: What You Should Know Before Dropping Out of School
By Duane Brown

This is a short book (79 pages) designed to help you think through your options. There are quizzes, exercises, and activities to get you thinking about the consequences of dropping out and the alternatives to traditional schooling (such as alternative schools and GED certificate programs).

School: Making the Grade

This is a video from a series that PBS made with a host of teens looking at current issues. This episode deals with school – what programs have been used to help students do better in school and prevent them from dropping out, and how teachers and students can better communicate. You can order this video from www.castleworks.com or by calling 1-800-597-9448.

So You’re Thinking of Dropping Out of School: Instructor’s Manual
By Edmund Benson and Susan Benson

This is a good resource for students who feel that school isn’t for them. The authors take a realistic look at what happens to dropouts (crime, poverty, etc.). They also explore options outside of the traditional school setting, letting teens know that there ARE alternatives to college, such as learning a trade and finding opportunities to be an entrepreneur.