An estimated 1.2 million students dropped out of high school in the last year, which means only 70% of students who started high school 4 years go earned a diploma
“These kids are looking at the prospects of earning on average, $13,000 a year, that’s certainly not enough to support a family and thrive in today’s economy.” – Family News in Focus
The implications from dropping out of high school are enormous, including a higher risk of poverty and an abbreviated life-span.
The drop-out rate has remained fairly steady over the past 5 years.
“Drop-outs impact and influence our job market, our universities, and, basically, our entire country. “ – Bill Ziegler with Teachers in Public and Private Schools
Candi Cushman education analyst for Focus on the family action, said the drop-out rate is a reflection of the state of the family.
Top 5 reasons for dropping out:
1. 47% said classes were ‘too boring”
2. 43% said that they missed too many days and could not catch up
3. 42% spent too much time with people who were not interested in school
4. 38% had too much freedom and not enough rules in their life
5. 35% were failing in school
Nearly 90% of students had passing grades when they left school, according to the survey of dropouts by Civic Enterprises . Their major reason for opting out? The classes were too boring.
A testimony of a drop out:
Recently, I have really been considering dropping out of high school in order to focus all of my energy on weight loss and music. I am too afraid to quit due to the fact that my family and friends will look down on me and treat me like another deadbeat loser.
I just think that if I continue on with my school career, it will do nothing but kill time and become nothing. I just think that this year is going to be a huge uphill battle and I will probably fail or perform poorly in a majority of my classes.
So, should I stay or should I go?
I really do appreciate any help or advice you guys and gals can give me.
• Recent dropouts will earn $200,000 less than high school graduates, and over $800,000 less than college graduates, in their lives.
• Dropouts make up nearly half the heads of households on welfare.
• Dropouts make up nearly half the prison population.
• 20% were married, living as married, or divorced, with females more likely than males to be married. Nearly 40% percent had a child or were expecting one.
• Nearly 25% changed schools two or more times, with some changing for disciplinary reasons.
• 12% ran away from home.
• Almost 20% were held back a grade, and almost half failed a course.
• Almost one-half missed at least 10 days of school, one-third cut class at least 10 times, and one-quarter were late at least 10 times.
• One-third were put on in-school suspension, suspended, or put on probation, and more than 15% were either expelled or told they couldn’t return.
• 11% were arrested.
• 8% spent time in a juvenile home or shelter.
• Didn’t like school in general or the school they were attending.
• Were failing, getting poor grades, or couldn’t keep up with school work.
• Didn’t get along with teachers and/or students.
• Had disciplinary problems, were suspended, or expelled.
• Didn’t feel safe in school.
• Got a job, had a family to support, or had trouble managing both school and work.
• Got married, got pregnant, or became a parent.
• Had a drug or alcohol problem.
• Arrange for help with making up missed work, tutoring, placement in a special program, and/or a transfer to another school.
• Help them with personal problems, and/or arrange for professional help.
• Help them schedule work and family obligations so that there is also time to attend school.
• Help them understand that the choices they make–like marrying, becoming parents, falling courses, or behaving badly enough to get suspended–can seriously disrupt their ability to finish school.
• If students do become pregnant or parents, help them find school and social programs that will meet their special needs.
• If all else fails, help them find a GED program and encourage them to stay with it until they get an alternative high school diploma.
beachgirl
techtype
fransisco_pizzar
wakondastunso
Anonymous