High School Dropouts In The United States

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.

There are 1.2 million high school dropouts in the US every year. In the city of Milwaukee only 61% of high school students actually receive a high school diploma.

Part of life is making mistakes, so people need to look at who a person truly is, not what they have done in their past. So many kids cannot comprehend the fact that when something bad, happens it does not mean to automatically run to drugs, alcohol, boyfriends, girlfriends, or worse a gun. The problems of the youth do exist, people tend to push the problems of the youth under a rug, that will not work anymore. Many people believe that the problems of the youth do not concern them, this is a false statement.

Many policy makers in the United States have becomes especially concerned about the alarming rate of persistently high school student’s dropout rates. But, improving high school dropout and graduation levels continues to be a strong educational challenge in the United States. Because, every year almost half a million students drop out of school (U.S. Census Bureau 2007). More importantly as Rumberger claimed that “an even greater number about one-third of all students who enter high school in the ninth grade fail to graduate fours later “(as cited in Robert &Russell 109). Graduation rates among underrepresented minority students in particular Latinos and African American are even lower (Alliance for Excellent Education 2007). And as Kelly

Life becomes difficult for dropouts and is a tremendous cost imposition on our entire nation. For instance, “dropouts from the class of 2008 alone, cost the nation more than $319 billion in lost wages over the course of their lifetimes,” (High School Dropouts 2). This continues to lower the state and federal income tax revenues. No work means no payments into income tax and social security systems. These individuals are more likely to rely on Medicaid, housing assistance and food stamps. This is all at a great cost to the public. “Currently this Congress

In America, there is an ongoing employment crisis that is concerning. It is now seen that it is detrimental to maintain a job if you are a high school dropout. More than half of the high school drop outs in America above age 25 are currently job less, according to The Wall Street Journal. They reported that about 1.8 million college graduates have found work since January 2010, while 128,00 high school dropouts have lost their jobs in the same period. This brings a major concern in the unemployment levels. While graduates gain education post-graduation, high school drop outs are bringing the country down. High school drop outs can be seen as one of the leading causes that is impacting the U.S negatively. My main argument revolves around

Students drop out for many reasons; for example drug addiction, gang affiliation, abuse, alcoholism, pregnancy,

Many kids who have dropped out end up going back to school in adult school, which is even harder to do. Most high school kids do not like school, but the ones who really do not and think it is okay to not go anymore and start the real world early actually do not like it later in life and regret it. High School dropouts are like cats that don’t even try to play

High school dropouts usually make just above the poverty life, not enough to live a prosperous life on. In Source 3, [pg.14] the survey of the average income by education, high school dropouts only made, $19,450, while high school graduates made $27,380, almost $8,000 more than the dropouts. High school dropouts, do not make enough to live off of, and most definitely not enough to support a family if it is needed. Their whole adult life will be a struggle to keep shelter and scrape-up enough money for food. Another important reason as to why students should stay in school is that they will have a lower status in the eyes of others. Imagine a person having to go to a job interview, and having to admit, to being a high school dropout. Immediately deemed unworthy, by the interviewer, and viewed as a delinquent in society. On page 14, Missy Remiss, “Those without a high school diploma have lower earnings, higher unemployment, lower job satisfaction - they even have a higher likelihood of ending up in jail or on public assistance.” It can be tied, that as students drop out, they are deprived of a character, they build in school. School prepares for failures and difficult experiences. When one drops out they do not develop these skill and it harms them throughout their life. This can lead to dropouts giving up easier. Also, if these people get accustomed to making bad decisions early on,

Do students think twice about their future before they drop out of high school? Students should be required to stay in high school until they are at least 18 years old. Every year the dropout rates increase and children become likely to be less successful later in life, and it needs to change.

High school dropouts earn less money, as stated before. Earning less money will, most likely, cause financial problems. Less money also limits what the

According to Laqana (2004), high school dropouts present serious implications for society such as reduced earnings, higher unemployment, increased crime rates, increased teen pregnancy, and increased alcohol and drug abuse. Currently, there are approximately 1.3 million annual high school dropouts who might lose $355 billion of income over their lifetimes (Bornsheuer, Polonyi, Andrews, Fore, & Onwuegbuzie, 2011). It is also noted that the prison population in some states is comprised of fifty to ninety percent of high school dropouts.

Students cannot have high achievements until they meet the school standards and expectations. Tom Precious, in his article “Drop Out Age,” states “too many young people fail to recognize that it is nearly impossible to meet the demands of modern society and to live successfully without at least a high school education” (Precious 1). It is inferred that due to a lack of family encouragement, students fail to realize that education is one of the key factors needed for the workforce. According to the article, “the lawmakers said that in the 1996-97 school year, 27,629 students in New York high schools dropped out” (Precious 1). This means that the students’ attitudes are negative regarding school, and they have absolutely no value in education due to the way they were raised. Students have no interest in achieving high results needed for a successful future. There are numerous disadvantages of a dropout. On average, a dropout earns less money, more likely to be in jail, less healthy, less likely to be married, and is unhappier than a high school graduate. Therefore, students must be motivated and must have a positive attitude about school in order to avoid such discrepancy. This problem disproportionately affects low-income students as well as minority students. As stated in the article, “the legislation comes as the Board of Regents is moving to raise the educational bar for high school students--a move that many educators support but fear could lead to an increase in the dropout rate. In the coming years, students will have to pass five Regents exams in order to graduate” (Precious 1). This change may force the students to work harder and be motivated in order to pass high school and graduate. In addition, a key element is for all states to increase their minimum school-leaving age to 18. This intervention significantly improves many

Consequences begin early at the entry level to the work force. Drop outs face difficulties in obtaining jobs, because of their educational disadvantage. Next, data supports the fact that low educational achievements are directly linked to criminal behavior. Lacking a basic education leads dropouts searching for alternative forms of financial support. Finally, dropouts make up the largest portion of people living below the poverty line, resulting in dependence upon government financial aid programs.

If students were allowed to drop out before the age of 18 they would not have a good job because they don’t have the needed education. Due to not having a good job they will be living in the streets. Students will also have less money than others. That being said they will not have food or shelter.