A March 2006 survey asked a representative cross section of ninth and tenth graders throughout California who are at risk of falling behind and not reaching their full potential, whether expanded education pathways, including academically rigorous career and technical education programs, would help motivate them to stay in school and go on to college and career. The results were astounding: more than two-thirds thought it would have an impact.

When asked why, here’s what they had to say: