What is most effective in motivating dropouts to enter a GED program: Potential reentrants speak

The number of high school dropouts reentering GED programs is minuscule. No published model of how to motivate them to reenter was discovered, so this research on motivation should be a valuable aid to recruiting. Dropouts who have not decided to reenter and those now in GED programs were interviewed. Questions probed their school experiences and familial support earlier and now. Some experiences, such as why they dropped out, relations with classmates and teachers, memorable experiences since dropout and the not so pleasant day-to-day life were either motivating or de-motivating for the reentrant decision. Analyses showed that most of the 22 variables chosen for interview were motivation-related. Most likely successful recruiters are predicted to be dropouts themselves. Demographic/innate characteristics are irrelevant to recruiting success, and what is motivating is related to previous life and experiences, to current lifestyle, family support, optimism and a feeling that academics will no longer overwhelm.