In English 101 sections, it is normal for two or three students to stop coming to class and give up on the course during a semester.  In developmental writing sections like this one, many more students "disappear."  Why is the "giving up" rate so much higher in developmental writing courses?

There is no required length for this paper, although the average length of papers I've received in the past is between two and three double-spaced pages.  Consider me to be the audience for your paper.