The Neglected Dropout: General Track Students.

Recent literature demonstrates the need for closer examination of general track curriculum students' experiences in order to increase high school graduation rates. General track students' reactions to school policies and practices governing extracurricular activities and attendance are described in this report. A case study methodology involved indepth interviews with 236 individuals, 178 of whom were high school students who are the focus of this report. Students reported that some school improvement policies are counterproductive and inequitable and described their classes as boring and their participation in school activities as obstructed. Findings demonstrate the need for institutionalized procedures to obtain student input about school improvement policies and for increased student participation opportunities. (26 references) (LMI)