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Case Study : Motivation Influences Retention Rates Of Low Income High School Students Essay

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Case Study: Motivation Influences Retention Rates of Low-Income High School Students
Introduction
While high school student dropout rates in general are declining, dropout rates for low-income students are still four and a half times greater than those of higher income students (Stark, 2015). This is important because, according to Bridgeland, Dilulio and Morrison (2006), “Dropouts are much more likely than their peers who graduate to be unemployed, living in poverty, receiving public assistance, in prison, on death row, unhealthy, divorced, and single parents with children who drop out from high school themselves” (p.3). Coming from a background such as this already, low-income students that drop out are essentially continuing the same cycle that they were raised in.
In reflecting on the underlying causes of retention rates of low-income high school students, suggestions made by professional counselors from the Field Interview paper gave an explanation that is directly supported by research—that social support influences student motivation levels (Ryan and Deci, 2000). Based on the information provided by Bridgeland, Dilulio and Morison (2006) regarding the bleak outcomes of students who dropout, it is important that students receive the support that they need in order to continue through high school and create a better life for themselves.
The purpose of this paper will be to explore how parents, educators and administrators may provide the supportive conditions

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