Every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone. That’s a student every 26 seconds – or 7,000 a day.

Unbelievable. I knew the dropout rate wasn’t a pretty number. But wow! These students have been part of a system their entire life (public education system) and then in the blink of an eye, just a few years or months shy of graduation they surrender by throwing their hands in the air and give a defeated, “I’m out.”

Why are they dropping out? How do we keep them more engaged? Is their success or future in danger because of the decision made? Do we completely blame the student or is this a parenting problem as well?

I know there are plenty of answers and perspectives taken on this, but I wanted to be one of many to bring awareness to this situation. You can’t stop 7,000 students from dropping out each day, but maybe you could reach out to the one in your sphere of influence that is thinking about it or struggling with an issue that could give them the excuse to drop out.

Graduating high school is an accomplishment. Be a positive and encouraging voice to these young people, it may go farther than you think.