Educational Underachievement

Academic failure is putting Detroit's youth at increased risk of homelessness compared to youth in the rest of the nation. Only 69.6% of Detroit residents age 25 or older have graduated from high school, compared to 83.4% throughout Michigan and 80.4% in the U.S. (Census 2000). Just 31.9% of Detroit students graduate in four years, according to the first major study in Michigan conducted using a method now mandated by the federal government (Detroit News, February 2008).

In 2005, 35,000 Michigan teens ages 16-19 were high school dropouts. In 2005, 15% of teens ages 16-19 were not enrolled in school, were not working, and had no degree beyond high school (Kids Count 2007).

Without meaningful educational and career goals, many high school dropouts begin to believe that there is no reason for them to develop a positive role in society, and a street-oriented, fatalistic worldview can become the norm for them. Over 85% of CHM intakes are high school dropouts, 7% are pre-high school dropouts.