For the first time , 20 % of young Americans graduated from high school on time . Alma Powell : We ca n't disregard the well - being of the 20 % who did n't . Powell : Why are these young people not progressing , despite all of our best efforts ? Many of them object to the term ` ` dropout '' ; they just decided to change course . She says we must offer support , graduate them early , because we care about their futures .
For the first time , 20 % of young Americans graduated from high school on time . Alma Powell : We ca n't disregard the well - being of the 20 % who did n't . Powell : Many of them object to the term ` ` dropout '' ; they just decided to change course . She says we must offer support , graduate them early , because we care about their futures .