Dropout Age Should Be 18 Essay

In today’s society it has become even more crucial to obtain knowledge and graduate from high school. In the article “The True Cost of High School Dropouts” Henry M. Levin and Cecilia E. Rouse explain that the dropout rate imposes a heavy cost on the economy. Henry M. Levin is a professor of economics and education at Columbia University. Cecilia E. Rouse is a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University. She also was a member of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers from 2009 to 2011. This article was found on “The New York Times” and was published Jan. 25th, 2012. They begin with stating the facts and giving sources to build credibility. They then go into what is being done wrong and what needs to be done in order to improve.

Going directly to college after high school can be completely beneficial to one’s life. It is what the government encourages while in high school and can easily be accomplished. By attending college at a young age you can live the infamous college life that so many adults speak of as “the best four years of my life”. These four years can be achieved and should be enjoyed. As a young student, one can have the stamina to attend class with hours on end. As a current college student, I see many adults coming back to college because they have been part of the group that has tried to succeed while only having a high school diploma. The truth of the matter is those high school students that realize that a four-year degree in college can secure a place in life that is acceptable for them will be the ones to succeed; furthermore, these students are the future of America.

There are many negative effects caused by dropping out of high-school. Some of these effects include dropouts being more likely to become delinquents, more likely to have a lower income, and more likely to be leading an unhealthy life. According to the article Raise the Legal Dropout Age by the University of Toronto, "An average dropout earns less money, is more likely to spend time in jail, and is less healthy, less happy and less likely to be married than a high school graduate." These are some major effects that everyone should be aware of. Simply dropping out of school can change someone's whole life for the worse.

When comparing the annual income between a Hispanic student that graduates from high school and a Hispanic high school dropout, the student with a high school diploma will earn $5,747 more than the student who drops out (U.S. Census, 2010). Statistics have demonstrated that high student populations in high schools impact the learning of students, and students are more likely to dropout (Fry, 2005).

Someone who decides to dropout without a high school diploma face a higher risk of being unemployed.When there is a lack of education, it will become difficult to receive a job and more likely to become on welfare. The earnings potential on average for dropouts is to be unemployed and earn less money when they eventually secure work rather than a high school graduate. In the Kerner report, Dorothy Bullitt stated that employed dropouts working at unskilled jobs will belong in a low-paying service occupation offering

$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

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

It is proven that college graduates earn more money compared to college dropouts and below. According to the PBS frontline article called “By the Numbers: Dropping Out of High School”, the average dropout earns an annual income of $20,241, which is a full 10 thousand less compared to the typical high school graduate, and 36 thousand less than someone with a bachelor’s degree. Shockingly, dropouts between the ages of 18 and 24 are more than twice as likely as college graduates to live in poverty, they experience a poverty rate of 30.8 percent, compared to the bachelor’s degree poverty rate of 13.5 percent. Therefore this widens the wage gap if there is improper or demotivational schooling. There are multiple factors as to why students drop out are do to... high rates of absenteeism, low levels of school engagement, low parental education, work or family responsibilities, problematic or deviant behavior, moving to a new school in the ninth grade, and attending a school with lower achievement scores. The nation should take notice because poorly educated people can restrict the cites’ capacity to prosper and innovate. In a way, poor education leads to a poor lifestyle that can affect the

In addition, high school dropouts have caused many hardships that negatively affect the American economy. Individuals, who have not received high school credentials, live such experiences as poverty, unemployment, teenage parenthood, and criminal activity (Esch, 2003). For example, without the minimum of a high school diploma, individuals are susceptible to a cycle of poverty (AYPF, 2006). Esch (2003) explained that in any given year, the likelihood of slipping into poverty is about three times higher for high school dropouts than for those who finish high school. He mentioned that high school dropouts lack many skills to be hired for decent jobs; therefore, students are more susceptible to be dependent on the public assistance. Researchers revealed that if one third of high school dropouts were to remain in school and earn a diploma, the federal government would save almost 11 billion annually from reducing funds needed for food stamps, housing

High School graduation day is an unforgettable time that is savored in memories for one’s entire life. That day marks the transition from boy to man, girl to woman, and ultimately, student to adult. Friends split paths, families say goodbye, and relationships end, but for every door that closes, a new one opens. The way I look at it, is that there are two options: join the labor force straight out of the gates or attend college to earn a higher-level of education. The latter is the more preferable way because it gives the worker a chance to earn a greater sum of money. For some, attending a well-known university is not a feasible option because of the ludicrous pricing of tuition. The majority of people do not want to start their new life with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, so they choose not to attend. The government should implicate public funding for college education by cutting back spending on federal penitentiaries because it would increase the amount of white-collar workers and trim the amount of debt a college student would have to pay back.

On the contrary, adolescents’ families may be struggling financially so it may be helpful to have their child be employed. They may use the extra money to pay bills, pay rent or buy food. However, in the long run, having their student drop out of high school is actually a disservice. As their life moves on and they wish to get employed elsewhere, the employer may think they are unmotivated, and have a poor work ethic. Employers will notice they left high school and presume that the adolescent cannot complete something they have already

“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.

As one can see in the past staying in school was mandatory and people were looked down if one did not finish school. Now in days’ students are quick to drop out and more parents are allowing it to happen. The rate of students who attend school and drop- out is tremendously high. As a student who thought about dropping out due to many encounters in life, but chose to stay in school and get an education changed who I am today. After all, each individual has a different perspective of whether high school should be mandatory both know it can only better one self. Attending high school will have challenges along with, but make it worth going for.

Most times, students end up living a life they didn’t want after high school. With no degree, students may find themselves working at a labor or hardworking job making little money. College students are usually better off in their life with an efficient job and a healthy family.

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.