Dropout Age Of 18

In their article, Levin and Rouse say that in the United states the dropout rate has fallen since the 1970s. They state that programs should be enforced to promote dropout prevention. While these programs may be expensive, more high school graduates benefit the economy in the long run.

The current situation of high school students dropping out has been steadily declining since the early 1990’s. This could serve society very well if that trend continues to a point where dropping out of high school become relatively unheard of. A social dysfunction of high school is that it creates a class system between those with a high school diploma and those without one. The manifest function of high school is to provide people with the skills and critical thinking ability to obtain some type base level skilled work as well as provides a way to help keep kids safe and out of trouble. In contrast, a high school dropout would have none of those functions and would likely not be employed in skilled work and as a result might have to turn to criminal activities for an income.

Among one of the numerous debates of today, dropout age seems to be among the most debated. While the general public may wonder why dropout age is even an issue, many will agree that this is a topic worth mentioning in the world today. So what's the whole dispute about? Dropout age has been a concern for many people in the United States for many years now, mainly because while the majority of experts agree on its negative effects, others believe that dropout age shouldn't even matter. However, a group of U.S. Senators has recently taken up a position to lower the age to fourteen. So what's the answer to this debate? Contrary to the Senators' beliefs, dropout ages should be raised to prevent the negative effects high-school dropouts end up having.

A person who does not have a high school diploma is at higher risk of being unemployed being a single parent, being in a gang, or being in prison; therefore, the mandatory age for leaving high school should be raised.

From 1972 to 2006 high school dropout rates decreased from 6.1 percent to 3.8 percent. A majority of this decline occurred between 1972 and 1990, when the rate dropped to 4 percent. However, from 1990 to 1995 there was a surprising increase in dropout rates (Laird & others, 2008). Since then there have been numerous debates and discussions on the issue of dropout rates and how to handle them appropriately. From the information above, it is very evident that the United States wasn’t directly involved with the matter. As a result, stated before, President Barack Obama made his claim towards this issue. This urged most states across the nation to raise the dropout age (Ho, 2017). In fact, a study co-authored by Alan Krueger, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, found that in some states approximately 25 percent of potential dropouts stayed in school since the compulsory schooling age was moved to 18. With an additional year of schooling that 25 percent will increase their earnings by at least 7 percent when

Most of the teenagers who drop out from high school tend to fall into the jail system chain. In the website “Alternative Schools Network” which is dedicated to stopping students from dropping out of school mentions that “Youth dropouts are more likely to be involved in destructive interactions and illicit activities, making them prone to incarceration”. There's a direct relationship between highschool dropouts and the likelihood of them going to jail. High school dropouts are most likely to end up being in a facility center, due to the fact that instead of being involved in their education they are getting involved in crimes or gangs. Not being able to find a good paying job in the first place, high school dropouts tend to recur to illicit activities to make their everyday living which leads them in a life going in and out of prison. Research has shown that “High school dropouts are less likely to receive skills and experience needed for employment”. Once an individual stops attending school they give up the necessary skills and knowledge required for a good job. Most of the times they end up getting a job which pays them barely enough to survive which leads them to illegal activities as a way out of their current

In life there are many struggles that interfere with a students education. In the 1970s, the United States had the world’s highest high school graduation rate. Today, we are ranked number twenty-one which shows a decrease in students that graduate. Lowering the dropout rate can solve several economic and social problems. Dropping out of high school has become a controversial topic that will continue for ages to come. Students should be required to stay in school until the age of eighteen because those without a high school diploma have higher unemployment and lower job satisfaction, have lower earnings, and have a higher likelihood of ending up in jail or on public assistance

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

“Dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country, and this country needs and values the talents of every American.” -Barack Obama. This quote from Barack Obama was from his address to Congress. Some might say that high school is not for everyone, but dropping out of high school can affect your future. As of right now, the dropout age is 16 . Teenagers at the age of 16 are not very knowledgeable of what happens after high school. At the age of 16 teenagers are not an adult nor should have to worry about dropping out of school. Therefore, students should not be able to make this life- changing decision until their senior year. Getting a high school diploma is a big deal yet these students are dropping out and losing the chance to have a good job that pays well and have a better future.

Over 1.2 million kids drop out of high school in the United States alone. Students drop because they fall behind in school, get low grades, wasn’t getting along with teachers or students, or had to support their family. There are numerous reasons why students have to drop out and the numbers are quickly increasing each year. Students should be in school till they are 18 because it will give them a better chance of graduating, raise their income and learn basic life skills.

According to a radio interview between Paul Morgan and Missy Remiss,“Those without a high school diploma have [...] higher unemployment [and] lower job satisfaction” (Source 4). Even though not having a high school diploma can affect employment, some schools in the United States, like the one in Kentucky, “offer courses that kids can see will help them get jobs and help them in their adult lives” (Source 4). Referring to an article by National Education Weekly, Washington D.C, and other states have increased the pre-graduation age to 18, in order to reduce dropout rates (Source 2). Although raising the age could help the dropouts to reduce, it is not. Missy Remiss says that states that have raised the age “still have high dropout rates” (Source 4). Clearly, students should not be required to stay in school until a certain age because they can continue their education when it is right for them, regulating this rule is difficult and enforcing the rule can not always be

Along with these reasons for dropping out of high school come some major consequences. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students who drop out of high school tend to have a much more difficult time trying to find and keep a job. Due to the young high school drop outs having such a hard time finding a job, if they get one they will tend to earn less money than that of someone with a high school degree or higher education (Amos, The Consequences of Dropping Out of High school). While not finishing high school can affect the job search and income of the high school dropouts, it can also affect crimes and

Another personal related problem is jobs. Most students are working part-time in order to support themselves and their family which at times will lead to intrusion with school hours, home works, no time for studying especially to major exams and various school activities which otherwise leads to failing grade. Peer pressure is also another factor wherein these students are being led to bad influences such as drinking, drug which causes a major side effect to students (Schwartz, 1995). Schools do this in order to handle their problem. Students from broken homes are also likely to drop out of school due to the stressful situation that they have to go through and thus affect their concentration in school. Furthermore, most students who dropped out of school don't like school to begin with. These students will rebel and do anything against the school rules in order to be kicked out (Schwartz, 1995). They are likely to fail on their subjects, doesn't get along with other students, and have disciplinary problems. Oftentimes, disciplinary actions are taken before they are dropped out.

High school is hard. There are bullies, people who harass others. People who have disabilities try harder because they can't understand as well. Kids ask themselves every day: why am I in school maybe I should just drop out. These questions may feel like two sides of the same coin, but there are separate issues here: What are the legal requirements for attending school and dropping out? Even if you can drop out legally, what are the probable consequences? Every state has their own laws as to when a child may drop out. "For instance, several states allow students to leave school if they: have received their parents' written consent and have participated in an exit meeting with school officials are legally emancipated, or are attending high school part time and are either legally employed or enrolled in a private vocational school."

Will negatively affect a student's future. Bob Keeshan once said,”Children don't drop out of High School when they are 16 they do so in the first grade and wait 10 years to make it official.” Throughout the years studies have shown that in a year 1.2 million students drop out. Which leads that only 25% of High School students during their freshman year fail to graduate. Dropouts in the United States have became a very trending thing we must get to the bottom of this problem. Young adults should not be making these decisions it's time to step in.