Everyone agrees that graduation is a crucial milestone on the path to adulthood. And according to a , the national graduation rate has actually increased to nearly 75 percent 鈥� a level not seen since the 1970s.
But that still means that one in four students aren鈥檛 finishing school, and even the ones that do graduate can have a pretty tough time.
Take Ashley Tilley. After her mentally ill mom walked out on 5-year-old Ashley and her sister, they spent years bouncing around foster care. Despite all that, Ashley flourished in school and won a full-ride scholarship to , where she begins classes this month.
Or take Scottie Gipson. His childhood was shaped by a father鈥檚 frequent stints in prison. He dropped out at 15, supporting himself by selling drugs. Scottie now works full time and just returned to school with the encouragement of his sister, uncle and girlfriend. He attends classes at the and is on track to graduate in December.
On Students Speak Out: An American Graduate Special, we鈥檒l hear from Ashley, Scottie, and four other students who know what it takes to finish school. The 四虎影院 special program airs on 四虎影院 TV on August 28.
