US study says abuse linked to grades

CHICAGO - Children experiencing high rates of peer victimization or engaging in problem behaviors are at a greater risk of not graduating high school on time, a study by the University of Illinois has found.

The study examined patterns of high school graduation and students' experiences with victimization, physical fighting, school suspensions and absenteeism or tardiness during the fall term of seventh grade. The risks of victimization were determined by the number of times students reported they had been threatened, or had property stolen at school.

Researchers found that while boys fell into low-, moderate - and high-risk groups, girls were split into just two: low and high risk. Most of the boys and girls examined were classified as low risk.