Three Myths? The Over-Representation of the Gifted Among Dropouts, Delinquents, and Suicides

Abstract

In general, a dropout is a student who has withdrawn from his academic setting without graduating, for any reason other than death, illness, or transfer (French, 1969). Dropouts are usually discussed as one category (high school and college), despite the selectivity of the college population. Influences unique to age and grade level of dropouts may make generalizations across studies futile, and demographic characteristics must also be taken into consideration