Boys repeat grades and drop out of school at a higher rate than girls. However, girls who repeat a grade are more likely to drop out than boys who are held back. The effects of harassment are more detrimental for girls than boys. Dropout rates are especially high among Hispanic girls. Four out of five 8-11th grade students who took part in a nationwide 1993 AAUW poll said they had experienced sexual harassment.
Girls are the targets of harassment more often than boys.
The Future Educators and youth advocates should develop specific programs for Hispanic girls to try to stem their dropout rate. Future programs to reduce students' vulnerability to risks such as violence and teen pregnancy should focus on building students' coping skills by drawing on their cultural strengths and resources. All schools should develop, implement, and enforce clear, age-appropriate sexual harassment prevention policies.