Making Up For Academic Failure

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Students abandon school for many reasons - course failure, a rough transition to high school or weak study skills. However, if you live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the past 40 years, Street School, has been there helping vulnerable dropouts succeed academically.

Out-of-school youth, some homeless, others from highly mobile families, make up credits but the school attributes its success to The World is Our Classroom curriculum, integrating coursework with field trips, wilderness excursions and community service projects.

Academic programs are bolstered by substance abuse counseling, therapy and help for those returning from the juvenile justice system.

Last year's students, ranging from 14-18 completed 89% of the courses needed for graduation, up from 57% of the courses needed before entering. Of last year's students, 38 earned a diploma, 33 are in college, 2 in technical school and one is working full time.