In A High School, The Norms Act

It Is Clear From All These Data That The Interests Of Teenagers Are Not Focused Around Studies, And That Scholastic Achievement Is At Most Of Minor Importance In Giving Status Or Prestige To An Adolescent In The Eyes Of Other Adolescents.

In A High School, The Norms Act To Hold Down The Achievements Of Those Who Are Above Average, So That The School's Demands Will Be At A Level Easily Maintained By The Majority.

Children From A Given Family Background, When Put In Schools Of Different Social Compositions, Will Achieve At Quite Different Levels.

Grades Are Almost Completely Relative, In Effect Ranking Students Relative To Others In Their Class. Thus Extra Achievement By One Student Not Only Raises His Position, But In Effect Lowers The Position Of Others.

Particular Individuals Who Might Never Consider Dropping Out If They Were In A Different High School Might Decide To Drop Out If They Attended A School Where Many Boys And Girls Did So.