American Graduate

Back in 2004, Jean Hudley created a non-profit organization in Reynoldstown called "Boys to Men." It serves the male youth in the neighborhood.

Every day she offers GED classes and teaches life skills to 16 young men between 18 and 23.  Others show up on an irregular basis. 

Jean herself is a high school drop-out.  She stopped going to William Howard Taft high school in  the Bronx in 1964 when she was 16 years old.  That’ one of the reasons she started her organization.

A recent federal report revealed that Georgia has one of the worst graduation rates in the nation, third from the bottom.

Nearly half of the state’s students do not make it to graduation. Research shows that failing classes, coming from a low-income household, and failure early in school are some of the most common predictors for becoming a drop-out.

In 2001, Andre Paraguassu dropped out of Milton High school in north Fulton County as soon as he could. He was 16. This is Andre’s story.

Ashley Hall stopped going to North Springs High School in Sandy Springs when she was only a 15 year old freshman. 

According to state statistics, nearly half of Georgia high school freshman do not make it to graduation. Students drop out for a variety of reasons.  

Surveys show that feeling unmotivated or uninspired to work hard was a significant factor in students' decision to drop out.

But what if life gets in the way of school- and school couldn't be a priority?  Producer Jennifer Ahment spoke with Ashley and this is her story.

WABE is producing a series about the "dropout" problem in Atlanta.   Our coverage of this issue is supported by grants from the Rita Allen Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  

This is the third installment in our series.  This profile features Cole Alexander.