Supports and barriers that impact on high risk grade 12 students

Two gender-based focus groups were conducted to delve into the perceived supports and barriers that impact on at-risk grade 12 students. The findings suggest that grade 12 female students experience different barriers to graduation than do the male students. The female group members list the following barriers to graduation: stress, low self-esteem, family and relationship issues, and fear of graduation. The male group members list death of significant other, low skill level, the ' party' lifestyle, and poor attitude toward school as barriers to graduation. The issues that support their successful graduation are more mutual. Both groups list self-respect, parental support, and friends as an inducement to graduation. Included is a literature review of the at-risk student, an overview of focus group methodology, an extensive reference list, and added appendices. The project concludes with the recommendation to apply this knowledge to a group format intervention to assist and support these students in their graduation year.--Page ii.