Jimmy Lucas

35 years after dropping out, the Durham man is out of prison and trying to live "the dream."
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Nikki McDonald

After getting married at 16, getting pregnant and dropping out, she's now trying to fulfill a promise to her dying mother.
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TaLissiya Smith

With the help of a mentor, the 18-year-old works to graduate from an alternative high school in Durham.
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Mariana Gasca

Just 56 percent of N.C. Latinos graudate in four years. Gasca was lured away, but now is back.
Full Story | Versión en español

A committee appointed by the N.C. General Assembly has given $7 million in grants to non-profits, local education agencies and schools that had innovative dropout prevention programs. For the first time, the winning applicants, the judges scores are published here with comments from winners, losers and outside observers. Judge for yourself whether North Carolinians are getting the best return on their investment in the future.

Elisa Greenwood | May 5 2009 - 8:19am

What's Up With N.C.'s Dropout Rate?

Journalists approach every news story with the goal of discovering the who, what, when, where, why and how of the story. This collection of most frequently asked questions will help introduce you to the dropout problem in North Carolina.

Students who rack up unexcused absences are some of those at highest risk of dropping out. In Durham, a unique "truancy court" aims to invlove students, families, the schools, the police and the community to keep kids in class.

Lander Atkinson | May 1 2009 - 8:15pm

Search and sort the dropout rates of each school district in North Carolina for the last five years.

Kevin Kiley | May 2 2009 - 1:20pm