Summary
- • Approximately 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States annually
- • The overall high school dropout rate in the U.S. is 5.3%
- • Hispanic students have the highest dropout rate at 8%
- • Black students have a dropout rate of 6.4%
- • White students have a dropout rate of 4.2%
- • Asian students have the lowest dropout rate at 2.1%
- • Male students drop out at a rate of 6.3%
- • Female students drop out at a rate of 4.3%
- • 8% of high school dropouts are unemployed
- • High school dropouts earn $9,200 less per year than high school graduates
- • Dropouts are 63 times more likely to be incarcerated than college graduates
- • 25% of high school dropouts live below the poverty line
- • The average high school dropout costs the economy approximately $292,000 over a lifetime
- • Only 69% of students from low-income families graduate high school
- • Students from low-income families are 2.4 times more likely to drop out than middle-income students
Approximately 1.2 million students take a dropout detour each year in the U.S., with a script thats not so stellar when it comes to graduation statistics. From the highest rates among Hispanic and Black students to the lowest among Asians, a diploma dons more than just academic significance. Unveiling a dropout dataset that reveals a stark contrast in income, employment, and incarceration between those who bid adieu to high school early and those who toss their caps in triumph, its evident that choosing to stay in school writes a different life story altogether.
Demographics
- Hispanic students have the highest dropout rate at 8%
- Black students have a dropout rate of 6.4%
- White students have a dropout rate of 4.2%
- Asian students have the lowest dropout rate at 2.1%
- Male students drop out at a rate of 6.3%
- Female students drop out at a rate of 4.3%
- Only 69% of students from low-income families graduate high school
- Students from low-income families are 2.4 times more likely to drop out than middle-income students
- Students from low-income families are 5 times more likely to drop out than high-income students
- The dropout rate for students with disabilities is 21.1%
- The dropout rate for students in foster care is 50%
- The dropout rate for homeless students is 64%
- Students who come from the bottom 20% of family incomes are 7 times more likely to drop out than those from the top 20%
- The dropout rate for students with limited English proficiency is 17.6%
- The dropout rate for students in juvenile detention is 50-60%
- Only 60% of students in urban high schools graduate on time
- The dropout rate for Native American students is 10.1%
- The dropout rate for students with emotional/behavioral disabilities is 44.9%
- The dropout rate for students who have been held back a grade is 32%
- The dropout rate for students who become parents is 30%
- The dropout rate for students who work more than 20 hours per week is 20%
- The dropout rate for students who have changed schools frequently is 50%
- The dropout rate for students in alternative schools is 52%
- The dropout rate for students who have been suspended is 32%
- The dropout rate for students in online schools is 50%
- The dropout rate for students with learning disabilities is 18.1%
- The dropout rate for students who are chronically absent is 65%
- The dropout rate for students in rural areas is 11.7%
- The dropout rate for students in urban areas is 13.9%
- The dropout rate for students in suburban areas is 6.5%
Interpretation
These statistics paint a stark picture of the educational landscape, showcasing the various barriers and challenges that students face in completing their high school education. While the numbers may seem daunting, they serve as a call to action for educators and policymakers to address the systemic inequalities that contribute to such high dropout rates. From disparities based on race and income to factors such as disabilities, parental status, and living situation, it is evident that a one-size-fits-all approach to education simply will not suffice. As we navigate these dropout rates, it becomes clear that we must tailor support and resources to meet the diverse and complex needs of our student population, ensuring that every individual has an equitable chance to succeed in their academic journey.
Dropout Rates
- Approximately 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States annually
- The overall high school dropout rate in the U.S. is 5.3%
- The high school dropout rate has fallen from 12.1% in 1990 to 5.3% in 2018
- About 25% of high school freshmen fail to graduate from high school on time
- About 2,000 high schools in the U.S. produce 50% of the nation's dropouts
- About 7,000 students drop out of high school every school day
Interpretation
The numbers may paint a grim picture of high school dropouts, but fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope within the statistics. While about 1.2 million students choose to exit the world of textbooks and chalkboards each year, the overall dropout rate has seen a promising reduction from 12.1% in 1990 to 5.3% in 2018. This indicates that with the right support and strategies in place, we are making progress in keeping our youth in the educational arena. However, it's crucial to address the underlying issues contributing to dropouts, such as the startling fact that just 2,000 high schools are responsible for half of the nation's dropouts, and approximately 7,000 students decide to bid farewell to high school every single school day. The battle against dropout rates is far from over, but with continued efforts and innovative solutions, we can strive towards a brighter academic future for all students.
Economic Impact
- 8% of high school dropouts are unemployed
- High school dropouts earn $9,200 less per year than high school graduates
- 25% of high school dropouts live below the poverty line
- The average high school dropout costs the economy approximately $292,000 over a lifetime
- 16% of high school dropouts are chronically unemployed
- High school dropouts are 72% less likely to be employed full-time than high school graduates
- Dropouts are twice as likely to live in poverty as high school graduates
- High school dropouts are 3 times more likely to be unemployed than college graduates
- About 1 in 6 high school dropouts are unemployed in their 20s
- High school dropouts earn 35% less per year than those with a high school diploma
- The lifetime earnings of high school dropouts are $260,000 less than those of high school graduates
- High school dropouts are 3 times more likely to receive public assistance than high school graduates
- High school dropouts are 3 times less likely to own a home than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 4 times less likely to invest in stocks or mutual funds than college graduates
Interpretation
It seems that dropping out of high school not only shortchanges the individual, but also takes a hefty toll on the economy. With statistics painting a grim picture of unemployment rates, lower incomes, and increased likelihood of living in poverty, it appears that high school dropouts are inadvertently signing up for a lifetime subscription to financial struggles. One might say that forsaking that cap and gown may lead to a life of financial frowns.
Social Impact
- Dropouts are 63 times more likely to be incarcerated than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested than high school graduates
- About 80% of the incarcerated population did not graduate from high school
- In the U.S., high school dropouts commit about 75% of crimes
- High school dropouts are 4 times less likely to volunteer than college graduates
- Dropouts are 8 times more likely to be in jail or prison than high school graduates
- High school dropouts are 20% less likely to vote than high school graduates
- High school dropouts are 6 times more likely to be single parents than college graduates
- High school dropouts have a life expectancy that is 9.2 years shorter than high school graduates
- High school dropouts are 10 times more likely to have no health insurance than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 2 times more likely to be in poor health than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 3 times more likely to be food insecure than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 4 times less likely to report being in excellent or very good health than college graduates
- High school dropouts are 2 times more likely to be divorced than college graduates
Interpretation
In the grand storyline of life, high school dropouts seem to have snagged an unfortunate role - as statistical magnets for trouble and hardship. From a significantly increased likelihood of incarceration, to a shorter life expectancy and a tenuous grasp on health and stability, the numbers paint a bleak picture. Perhaps dropping out of high school isn't just about missing out on education, but also about setting oneself up for a series of challenges that can snowball into a life of adversity. It seems the old adage holds true - it's not just about starting strong, but staying the course that truly shapes our destinies.