A student named Cornelius shares his story of dropping out and says: “There was a point in high school when I started to think I wasn’t smart enough. That I was so far behind there was really no point in even trying. Looking back there are a lot of things I wish I had done differently — I wish I had stayed focused more; I wish I had stayed in class more,” said Cornelius. “But I also really wish there had been someone at my school who didn’t give up on me. Who would have made me feel like there was hope.” (edtrust.org). Cornelius’s story is very similar to those in other states who have experienced something similar. High school dropouts are on the rise because some students have lack of parent engagement, poor academic performance, or work/family
