Dropouts speak out: qualitative data on early school departures

From interviews conducted in the home, qualitative data were obtained from 374 urban high school dropouts concerning their primary reason for leaving school early. Female and male respondents of five ethnic groups answered closed- and open-ended questions concerning their (1) dropout history, (2) reasons for leaving school, (3) feelings about various aspects of the high school experience, (4) past and present activities, (5) academic and general future plans, (6) reflections about school, and (7) recommendations for school improvement.