Chicago Tribune

When I was growing up, the conversation around the dinner table frequently centered on school. "What did you learn today?" "How much homework do you have?" "When is your next test?" One question I don't remember being asked was: "Are you going to college?" In my family, graduating from college was a given; an understood step toward adulthood.

For most Chicago public high school students, the desire to attend college exists but actually graduating is not the reality, especially for black boys...