Many social critics argue that today’s youth face more serious and critical risks than any previous generation. Parents are convinced that their children face a major crisis. Most experts will agree that violence in schools, deteriorating family structure, substance abuse, alarming media images, and gang activity put teens at risk.

Teenagers who have trouble coping with the stresses of life are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, engage in criminal activity, are sexually promiscuous, and attempt suicide. Many of these at-risk teens run away and eventually find themselves locked up in detention centers or living on the streets

Each year, thousands of at-risk teens are diagnosed with clinical depression. If left untreated or ignored, it can be a devastating illness for the teen and their family. If allowed to continue, depression can lead to attempts at suicide. In high risk teens with depression – that is teens that have threatened or attempted suicide – there are four risk factors that account for more than 80 percent of the risk for suicide.

Whether in school, at home or with peers, youth are bombarded by negative cultural influences, peer pressure and often challenging life circumstances that include poverty, homelessness, foster care, lack of parental involvement, domestic violence in the home, bullying and harassment at school or experience with juvenile detention. Some kids prove resilient; others do not. We do know that kids who are connected to caring adults, engaged in school and have productive roles at home, in organizations or the community at large have strengths or "assets" that help to insulate them from pressures and influences that prove destructive. In contrast, kids who find themselves hopeless, depressed and disconnected from others can turn to increasingly harmful and risky behavior.

At-risk youth are often channeled to programs with special, reduced expectations for performance, especially academic performance. The effective schools research strongly supports that schools establish and maintain high expectations and standards for all students and focus on helping them all meet those expectations. At-risk youth exhibit a lack of and strong need for success. With clear goals and objectives recommended by the effective schools research, at-risk youth can move toward and achieve measurable success in school.

At-risk youth are often channeled to programs with special, reduced expectations for performance, especially academic performance. The effective schools research strongly supports that schools establish and maintain high expectations and standards for all students and focus on helping them all meet those expectations.

At-risk youth exhibit a lack of and strong need for success. With clear goals and objectives recommended by the effective schools research, at-risk youth can move toward and achieve measurable success in school.

Youth experience increased freedom from parental scrutiny, and with this freedom comes an opportunity to become involved in socially unacceptable activities. Peers have tremendous influence among their fellow teens and a juvenile’s behavior is often dictated by whether their peer group is involved in drugs, gangs, and other forms of antisocial behavior.