Causal Analysis Paper: Significant Rise in High School Dropout Rates in United States

In October 2000, the overall picture of high school dropouts had changed little since the late 1980s (Kaufman et al. 2001): For every 100 young adults enrolled in high school in October 1999, 5 had left school without completing a program; of 34.6 million U.S. young adults aged 16-24, 3.8 million—almost 11 percent—had not completed high school and were not enrolled. Some studies have shown that students in schools with a concentration of multiple risk factors (e.g., large schools, large classes, high poverty, inner city location) have less than one chance in two of graduating from high school; furthermore, the economic costs of dropping out have increased as time goes on (Castellano et al. 2001). Adjusting for 50

Sociologists and psychologists have studied and documented high school dropout rate for many decades. Their focus has been put on statistics of different races/ethnicities, age groups and gender as well as underlying factors of why people drop out. Comparing the dropout statistics of different races is a common theme amongst many sociologists’ studies. The extent of their research addresses many significant aspects of high school drop out but fail to shed light on the differences within races between the two genders.

The article, “Silent Epidemic”, is referring to the dropout rate. According to Bridgeland, Diluilo, and Morrison, “There is a high school dropout epidemic in America. Each year, almost one third of all public high school students and nearly one half of all blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans fail to graduate from public high school with their class. Many of these students abandon school with less than two years to complete their high school education” (Bridgeland, Diluilo, Morrison, 2006). Students that dropout of school risk everything. In the article “Silent Epidemic”, Bridgeland, Diluilo, and Morrison state that, “Dropouts are much more likely than their peers who graduate to be unemployed, living in poverty, receiving public assistance,

There are clear racial and economic disparities that exist in regards to high school dropout rates. Researchers found that African-American and Hispanic students experience higher rates of dropouts compared to White students. In 2012, the dropout rate for African-Americans was 7.5 percent. For the Hispanic population it was 12.7 percent, and for Native Americans it was 14.6 percent. All of these rates of minority dropout which are all significantly higher than the rates of Whites and Asians/Pacific Islanders (United State Department of Education, 2015). This was also true for students living in low-income families. They maintained greater rates of dropping out with 5.9 percent, while students from higher income families dropped out at a

The dropout problem is not only an individual problem, but it is costly to society as a whole. Warren & Halpen-Manners (2007) explained, “high school dropouts is of fundamental social, economic, and political importance and has major implications for educational policy and practice, patterns of economic and racial/ethnic inequality, and the quality of America’s workforce” (p. 335). Coupled with that, Neild et al (2008) further argued going through the portal into adult life without high school credentials carries severe economic and employment penalties. Also, Kennelly (2007) explained “When students drop out…. the toll of the quality of life and the prosperity and competitiveness of the communities where they live and collectively across

High school dropouts are not only facing a miserable situation in the rest of lives but also

Research has shown that there are many perceptions amongst faculty and students, especially amongst minority students as to what factors are contributing to drop-outs in higher education and what should be done to retain minority students. Some have expressed economic disadvantages to family history as to why minorities have the highest rate of discontinuing college after their freshman/ first year of college. Contrary to research conducted within the last decade, even though in comparison to high school diplomas, college degrees have taken a back seat in spite of the many efforts of institutions, faculty, and stakeholders.

The path to graduation can be long, unpredictable and quite confusing. This article “California Dropout Research Project” shows how the Los Angeles School District tried to explain what are the factors that come into to place that prevent certain student from graduating high school on time. Some of the factors are race, gender, and income. The chapter that mainly focuses on income indicates in order understand dropout crisis requires understanding the academic and

Did you know that 1.2 million high school students drop out of school every year just in the United States alone (11 Facts)? The decrease of high school graduation rates is a fairly important issue, and there are plenty of reasons to propose a change. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the current standard dropout rate of high school students is 7.4%. High school dropouts encounter way more difficulties and challenges than a high school graduate would. An average high school drop out lacks the basic education that one needs in order to be successful in life. They are more likely to face problems dealing with financial insecurity, communication skills, and of course, educational matters. With a high school diploma, one is more likely to get hired for a job, earn a higher income, and educate oneself even further. Some possible causes of high school students dropping out include stress, boredom, family problems, pregnancies, and drugs. With that said, with every issue, there is always a solution. By taking the problem at hand and looking at it from a broad perspective, we can thoroughly identify the source of the high dropout rates of U.S. high school students. There are countless factors that may be the cause of this epidemic, but a few ideas including making learning more relevant, limiting the workload given to students, and providing mandatory classes on drugs and safe sex may possibly be a solution to this

In North Carolina, from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015 there was a 6.6 percent increase in crime rates within schools for high schools, also during this time there was a 4.8 percent increase in dropouts (Hinchcliffe, 2016). For the school year of 2014-2015 the dropout rate was 2.39 percent, which was a increase compared to the previous year that had a rate of 2.28 percent (The Progressive Pulse, 2016). High school dropouts are known to face issues in their future in regards to their socioeconomic status, job attainment, and other risk factors that may influence their lives in the long-term. It has been found that high school dropouts earn an estimated $9,000 less per year on average compared to individuals that graduate. They are also more likely to live in poverty, it was also found that dropouts are three times more likely to be unemployed compared to graduates which puts them at a further disadvantage (Burrus & Roberts, 2012). The consequences of dropping out not only affects the individuals but also our society, due to its contributions to governmental costs; in 2001 there were 40% of high school dropouts (16-24 years old) receiving government assistance (Burrus & Roberts, 2012).. This portrays how high school dropouts leads to further problems and affect others.

In a rural area just outside of Chicago, 150 students marched at the graduation ceremony. That is a far cry from the 300 students that enrolled as freshman just four years ago. This is not an inner city school, but it is a reminder that there is a crisis in our nation. The high school dropout problem is everywhere. Speakers at graduation ceremonies talk about the aspirations and big dreams of the graduating class. No one ever mentions or notices the bleak futures of their peers who chose to dropout before receiving their diplomas. The reasons for dropping out vary by race, sex and community. Teenagers live in the present moment, never looking too far ahead to realize what the consequences could be if they left high

This paper illustrates how raising the high school dropout age to 18 would encourage more students to graduate, reduce dropout rates and produce more productive members into society. Although, some people agree that raising the dropout rate isn’t the best way to address these issues, the inform provided throughout this paper could possibly change that. The task at hand is to inform the reader about the steps that should be taken to raise the dropout age. Since the 1970s, the dropout rates in the United States have gradually decreased, however, there is statistical evidence that proves these rates to be unstable. Raising that dropout age will simply give students more time to think about their life choices and hopefully remain in high school.

The national dropout rate has been about 15 percent. In 2002, 11 percent of young people aged 16 to 24 in the civilian, non-institutionalized population were not enrolled in and had not completed high school. While the exact magnitude of the problem may be elusive, the fact that it's particularly severe in large urban schools has been understood for some time.

The problem that stakeholders face is the negative consequences that come with an above average high school dropout rate. The primary stakeholders of this issue are the students who are most likely to drop out of high school, this includes low SES background and minority students. These students are most affected by a high dropout rate in a district. Students who ultimately decide to leave high school are more likely to be unemployed, to be on public assistance, end up in prison, and earn less than those who have graduated (Christle, Jolivette, & Nelson, 2007). Students are not the only ones who are affected by a low retention rate, district administrators, teachers, and parents are also stakeholders in this situation. District administrators are the individuals who will implement policies to fix the issue of low high school retention, and teachers are the ones who would have to enforce new school policies. Teachers, counselors, and parents are all vital stakeholders in the issue of low high school completion.

“Every 26 seconds one of our kids drops out of high school — that's 1.3 million students each year. On average, only 72% of America's children graduate from high school.” Cited from, www.americangraduatedc.org. What is the cause of this phenomena, there are many suggestions made as to the cause of student drop outs, such as drugs, money, family, or lack of will to continue school. Whatever the issue is schools should fight to keep their students vigor. That being the students interest in said subject. The dropout rate is despondent as it is, along with that the grades of dropouts, and disinterested students do not look pleasing to the eye.  Schools should adequately presents intriguing subjects to their students, after all that is the