Boredom and failure combine in a toxic brew that propels too many young people off the graduation path. Research shows that engaged students are more likely to perform well academically, that students who are challenged are less likely to be bored and disengaged, and that high-quality instruction and meaningful activities are key factors in promoting a culture of engagement and achievement in and outside the classroom. With data and real-world examples, the author shows how students and their communities are benefiting from collaborative student-led projects. These projects stem from What Kids Can Do, a program that advocates for learning that engages students as knowledge creators and that promotes young people as valued resources and critical voices in policy debates about school, society, and world affairs. (Contains 22 notes.)