The attitude of parents, teachers and society in general toward
the boys who drop out of school is such as to make them feel that
they are " flunkers," " quitters," and " slackers." Hence, they nat-
urally seek a plausible excuse for leaving, a reason which is " good"
but not " real." They themselves do not recognize the real reason but
they know they want to quit and not wishing to be known as
" quitters " and " slackers " naturally seek a reason which vnll in
a measure relieve them of censure and criticism. Whatever the
" real " reasons may be why boys drop out of school, the f a< t.
remains that they do ! Very few of them attend night school and
the others frankly say they have no desire to attend.
This study shows that they are thoroly averse to further school-
ing and that compulsory part-time continuation-school and night-
school work will bo practically valueless unless we can awaken in
these boys an interest in further education. They must be convinced
that by completing certain definite and practical short courses they
can increase their earning capacity and secure promotion. To
accomplish this is the task of boy welfare organizations as well as
of the schools. The major part of the future training and education
of these boys will be secured thru business and social contacts, but
this must be supplemented by carefully selected and well planned
short continuation-school courses which are attractive to boys because
of their practical value.
