Dropout Age Should Be 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.

When it comes to high school dropout rates, there are many factors that need to be considered before attempting to suggest a reason, and a solution to the issue. One of the first

Should children be required to attend school past the age of 16? In the United States a number of states are currently dealing with that question. The dropout age, historically set at 16 in most of the nation, has been edging up. Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia have compulsory attendance until 18, and 11 others require attendance until age 17 (Slonick, 2012). According to Statistic Brian Research Institute, percent of US crimes that are committed by a high school dropout is about 75 %. This statistics show people that do not stay in school past the age of 16 years old lacks maturity to make sound adult decisions. A financial benefit of keeping someone in school one extra year will increase their annual income an estimated 10%.

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.

$10,510, that’s how much less a high school dropout earns annually than an individual with a high school diploma according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A dropout is less likely to be employed, more likely to be incarcerated and more likely to live in poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, due to incarceration, less paid in taxes and other factors a high school dropout costs taxpayers $292,000 over their lifetime. The financial costs alone should be enough to find ways to increase graduation rates. Research has shown early predictors of dropout are parental education level and early low literacy in the child. Families from one generation to another have a difficult time escaping poverty and families from one generation to another have difficulty improving literacy

In 2011, the state legislators of Alaska, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland and Rhode Island all considered raising the high school dropout age to 18, yet Rhode Island was the only state that proved successful (Lewin, 2012). Only a year later, President Barack Obama urged all states to move the dropout age to 18 in his State of the Union Address. This was the first time Washington directly addressed an issue that many state legislators found difficult to present (Ho, 2017). In the past, the dropout age was set at 16 in a majority of the nation. Some states still hold that legislation, however, most recently the District of Columbia and 21 other states require mandatory attendance until the age of 18. While 11 other states require mandatory

This is being justified by the article, ‘No Pass/No Drive’: The Answer To High Drop-Out Rates, the article states, “With a 25% dropout rate in the United States something must be done. High school dropouts commit about 75% of the crime in the US and are more likely to be unemployed or need government assistance”(6). What this basically means is that if the drop-out rate is lowered the crime rate could be lowered too. This is a good thing because then not as many students would take on a life of crime and not be

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

Society wonders at what age student should be treated as adults. In this country, sixteen year olds are considered as grown-ups. Certain people think that teens are adults when they are eighteen. Unlike people, students think the mature age of an adult to drop out should stay at sixteen. We should change the dropout age from sixteen to eighteen.

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

According to the article “Fast Facts” found on the National Center for Education Statistics, national dropout rates of adolescents 16 to 24 years old was 6.5 percent as of 2014 (“Fast Facts.”). While this may seem like a low number at the surface, it is much much higher than first led to believe. As pointed out in the article “Public School Enrollment”, “Enrollment in grades 9 through 12...decreased by 2 percent to 14.8 million in 2013-2014”. (“Public School Enrollment). This means that approximately 962,000 children are dropping out of school annually. This number is much too high and needs to be lowered.

“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.

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

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.