Youth disengagement from school is complex and impacts both students and society. Disengagement often stems from academic struggles, lack of connection to teachers and peers, mental health issues, socioeconomic barriers, and challenges at home. Disconnection from school can lead to reduced job prospects, lower lifetime earnings, and difficulties in adulthood such as poverty, crime and homelessness. In Canada, 7-13% of high school students dropout before graduation. By understanding the root causes of disengagement and using targeted strategies, schools and communities can help students reconnect and stay on track toward graduation.
Why Do Youth Disengage from School?
- Academic Challenges: Many students find it hard to keep up with the academic demands of school. This can be a struggle with coursework, a lack essential skills, or learning disabilities that make it difficult to succeed.
- Lack of Connection: A lack of meaningful relationships with teachers, peers, or the school environment can cause youth to feel alienated. Without support, students may feel unseen and unmotivated.
- External Life Challenges: Issues like family instability, financial struggles, housing insecurity, and mental health concerns can overwhelm students. These challenges often lead to chronic absenteeism, lower academic performance, and disengagement.
- Boredom or Lack of Relevance: If students feel that school does not align with their future goals, or the curriculum feels disconnected from real-life experiences, they may lose interest and motivation.
- Behavioral and Emotional Struggles: The mental health crisis among young Canadians has grown significantly, with anxiety and depression contributing to students’ inability to stay focused and engaged in their education.
- Negative School Experiences: Repeated negative experiences, whether from peers or educators, can lead to feelings of rejection and cause students to disengage for self-protection.
How Does Reboot Plus Tackle Youth Disengagement
The Reboot Plus program is designed to reengage youth who at risk of not graduating. To date, the program has supported more than 186 young people by creating a flexible, low-pressure environment that focuses on their unique needs. The program takes a holistic approach and incorporates the following principles:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have equal access to learning opportunities.
- Experiential Learning: Providing hands-on learning experiences that connect education to real-world applications.
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Accommodating different learning styles to make education accessible to all.
- Hope-Centered Career Development (HCCD): Helping participants identify their values, interests, and skills while building their confidence in future career pathways.
Key Strategies for Reengagement
Reboot Plus focuses on building essential communication and emotional intelligence skills. This starts with a classroom contract of safety and belonging. The curriculum offers strategies to manage mental health challenges, increased resilience, and uses a trauma-informed approach. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Reboot Plus tailors its support to meet the unique needs of each student.
The program places hope at the center of career development. By helping students reflect on their goals, plan for their future, and adapt to changing circumstances, Reboot Plus improves self-clarity among students. The program includes self-reflection, goal setting, and visioning. This leads to an action plan ‘capstone project’ to be completed by the end of their 16-week program.
Positive Impact on Students and Professionals
Professionals who engaged with Reboot Plus youth enjoyed a chance to inspire students. They emphasized the importance of programs like
Reboot Plus in guiding youth at a critical stage in their lives. Additionally, professionals gain a deeper understanding of this youth demographic, and the programs designed to support their career development.
By addressing the key causes of disengagement and offering tailored support, Reboot Plus is helping young people reconnect with their education and prepare for a brighter future.
With funding from the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre, we are examining whether a hope-centred education and career development program can help youth find their purpose.
Le projet Reboot Plus est financé par le Centre des Compétences futures du gouvernement du Canada