I came across this contract at BlackStarProject.org… I usually don’t like things like this but I this seems like it could be a good tool. Thoughts?
To Reduce High School Dropouts, Share this Contract with Elementary School Students!

By dropping out of school I acknowledge that:

1.  I will be less likely to find good jobs that pay well, bad jobs that don’t pay well, or maybe any jobs.

2.  I will not be able to afford many things that I will see others acquiring.

3.  I will be more likely to get caught up in criminal activity and illegal behaviors.

4.  I will be more likely to become involved with drugs and excessively involved with alcohol.

5.  I will be more likely to spend time in jail or prison.

6.  I will be less likely to have a good, stable marriage or relationship.

7.  I will not have many choices about where to live.  My low economic status will require that I live in undesirable locations

8.  I will be considerably less able to properly care for and educate my children.

9.  My children will be more likely to follow in my footsteps and drop out of high school, creating multiple generations of despair and poverty.

10.  Most of my friends and associates will also be high school dropouts.

11.  I will be more likely not to vote or to lose my voting rights.

12.  In short, although I will not, technically lose my rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; in reality I will lose these rights by losing the ability to exercise them.

The Choice Is Yours:

I understand that by dropping out of school, I am voluntarily giving away my rights, privileges and opportunities.  I also understand that by doing so, the quality of my life and the lives of my loved ones will be dramatically decreased.

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or

I will not drop out of school.  Instead I will do whatever it takes to graduate from high school and pursue higher education and/or other viable trades or professions that will help me control the quality of my life and my family’s life.  I have the ability to accomplish this goal, and I fully intend to take advantage of it.

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Stay in School!