Chicago is rethinking a pioneering program to bring back its dropouts – Chalkbeat Chicago

At a price tag of $18,000 per student, the program offered a chance to catch up on high school credits, therapy, job training, and a stipend. But only about half of the 1,000 students the program set out to reach actively participated over the past two years — and some had not actually dropped out of high school, but had struggled with spotty attendance. Fewer than 60 have earned a high school diploma, while about 160 are currently enrolled or pursuing a GED.