At-Risk Students and the Dropout Rate: What influences student decisions to remain in school or drop-out in a suburban high school

The drop out phenomenon is a persistent problem in public schools across the United States. The consequence of a student dropping out of school negatively impacts both the individual who chooses to drop out and the society that ultimately is responsible for supporting that individual. The purpose of this study is to analyze the decision making processes of at-risk students who either dropout or choose to persevere and complete their high school education and to understand what factors influence that decision in a semi-wealthy suburban community. A number of factors influence students during their decision making process. Students who receive special education services or live in poverty are significantly less likely to graduate than their peers at Franklin Park High School. This qualitative case study examines why students choose to drop out and remain in school in a low incidence drop out community. The two theoretical frameworks of goals theory and organizational theory work in concert to provide a lens to view the dropout phenomenon from the perspective of the individual and the organization. The vast majority of at-risk students at Franklin Park High School are able to persevere and graduate, but a percentage of students choose to drop out each year contrary to their own self-interest. At-risk students who are able to graduate are focused on the goal of high school graduation, willing to complete all tasks related to reaching that goal, and access appropriate resources and supports to achieve their goal. At-risk students who chose to drop out are not focused on the goal of high school graduation, course failures, negative peer relationships, attendance issues, and a lack of connection to the school community.;Key words: at-risk student, drop out, goal setting, organizational theory.