Teens talk about why they leave school early. Most teens that drop out, or contemplate dropping out, say they would stay in school if it were more challenging and if they had more support.

Students are disengaged, unmotivated and unchallenged.

• Nearly half (47 percent) of those interviewed for The Silent Epidemic survey say a major reason for dropping out was that the classes weren't interesting. These young people reported being bored and disengaged from school. (The Silent Epidemic)

• Nearly seven out of 10 (69 percent) say they weren't motivated or inspired to work hard. (The Silent Epidemic)

• 36 percent say they weren't learning anything. (NGA)

• 70 percent of high school dropouts polled by The Silent Epidemic are confident they could've graduated if they had tried. Even those with lower grade point averages think they could've graduated. (The Silent Epidemic)

Some students drop out because school isn't relevant to their life plans.

• 11 percent aren't planning on attending college. (NGA)

• 14 percent say the job they're interested in doesn't require a degree. (NGA)

• They would go back or stay and finish school if they knew they would earn more money after graduation (64 percent) and knew they would get a job after graduation (62 percent). (NGA)

Some students drop out because they aren't getting enough support.

• Only 15 percent say it was because they weren't getting enough help. (NGA)

• Only 13 percent think schoolwork is too hard. (NGA)

• 45 percent say they started high school poorly prepared by their earlier schooling. Many of these students likely fell behind in elementary and middle school and could not make up the necessary ground. (The Silent Epidemic)

Students who drop out plan on continuing their education.

• 55 percent of those polled by NGA plan to finish high school eventually, and 34 percent want to go to community college. (NGA)

As adults, poll participants recognize the importance of a high school diploma.

• The overwhelming majority of poll participants (81 percent) say as adults that graduating from high school is important to success in life. (The Silent Epidemic)

• Three-fourths (74 percent) say that if they were able to relive the experience, they would have stayed in school, and 76 percent say they would definitely or probably re-enroll in a high school for people their age, if they could. (The Silent Epidemic)

• 47 percent say that not having a diploma makes it hard to find a good job. (The Silent Epidemic)

• Two-thirds of high school dropouts say they would have worked harder if more were demanded of them in the form of higher academic standards and more studying and homework. (The Silent Epidemic)