But if he doesn't come, I have no shot at all. But a lot of students are missing from that picture, especially in America's urban high schools. On any given day, as many as 30 percent of students are absent.
Some parents let their children stay home.
Some students are working to support their families. Schools themselves can deter students. Poorly maintained buildings, large classes, overburdened teachers, low standards, and outdated curriculum and teaching practices can keep students away. Students with chronic absences drop out of school at three times the rate of those with regular attendance. Schools with more than 900 students and 90 percent minority students have the highest dropout rates, as do schools with large classes.