Recapturing at-Risk, Talented High-School Dropouts: A Summary of the Three-Year Lost Prizes Project

Abstract

Lost Prizes, a tri-district project designed to “reckim”at-risk, talented high-school dropouts, ran from September, 1993, through June, 1996. Their talents notwithstanding, the young people in question were basically “doing nothing and going nowhere.” Through career exploration, individualgrowthplans, mentoring experiences with business partners, and Creative Problem Solving training, the flexible, off-site program attempted to help these at-risk students make reasoned educational, career, and life decisions. The project has worked successfully with many dropouts whose talents have been identified, appreciated, and nurtured Indeed, 57 of the 88 participants (65%) have responded by completing high school, entering post-secondary programs, or obtaining full-time employment.