A contributing factor in retention that can go unnoticed and therefore unaddressed is the effect of cultural upbringing and the importance in their lives. As an educator whose demographics include a large population of Mexican American and Native Americans students, I have noticed the following scenario occur over and over. The best students, being totally aware of missed classes and the effects on their education, will miss school to be at the side of sick or ailing relatives to the exclusion of concern for damage to their educational career. There is no alternative in their choice assessment