In the United States alone, approximately 1.2 million students dropout of high school every year. That means that 7,000 teenagers are dropping their high school education every day. I believe that this is partially because the dropout age is currently sixteen years old in the majority of states. This alarming number would only grow if the legal dropout age dropped down to fourteen years old, which is what many are speculating could happen sometime over the next few years. I think that we could and should avoid this problem altogether by keeping the dropout age at sixteen years old, if not raising it to eighteen years old.
My first and primary reason for believing that the dropout age should continue on as 16 years old, if not older, is
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Many high school dropouts come to regret their decision to dropout later in life once their brains become more developed. In fact, a study states that more than 74% of people that dropout of high school come to regret their decision. I believe that if the dropout age to eighteen years old there will be a significant change in the dropout rate. At that age, the PFC isn't completely there, but it is definitely more developed. At eighteen years old, one has a better view on life and is able to make a life-altering decision with a clearer head.
According to PBS, the average high school dropout makes approximately $20,241 every year, which is $10,386 less than someone with a bachelor's degree. This leads me to my second point- those who dropout of high school are practically guaranteed to lead to a less well off lifestyle. The same source states that the national unemployment rate as of August 2015 was 8.1%. However, this measured to 12% of American citizens who dropped out of high school and only 4.1% with a college degree. Personally, I believe that most high schoolers don't have a clear view of the future. Many of those that dropout of high school don't realize how desperately this is going to effect their lives twenty years from now. This isn't only affecting them, but our country's economy. According to a 2013 study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States has one of the
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
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.
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
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.
High school dropouts are not only facing a miserable situation in the rest of lives but also
Were you aware that every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone? That’s a student every 26 seconds – or 7,000 a day. Currently, 20 states have ages 18 as a dropout age and 30 have it as 16 and 17. All states that have school dropout ages under 18 should be raised to 18 because dropping out will make them earn less money, become less healthy, and increase the likelihood of going to jail.
“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 of personal experiences, members of my family have had to postpone getting their diploma to help assist in family needs. For instance, my grandpa got in an accident and work and was in the hospital for an extended amount of time so my oldest uncle had to postpone his diploma in order to help my grandma pay bills and get food on the table. I also believe that a majority of students don’t just drop out just because they don’t like it. I believe they have a greater reason for dropping out. For example, they could drop out in order to help on the family farm or to assist in the family business. Just because people drop out of high school does not mean they lack the skills to drive a
The bill to raise the legal dropout age should be raised to eighteen instead of the current age of sixteen. The age of eighteen is when most people are seniors at high school. If the student is in school until their senior year they are less likely to drop out before they graduate. Having a high school diploma increases the number of job opportunities you have and it means that you have a higher education. The more people who have a higher education in the country means that as a whole the country will have a higher educated population.
Do you know someone that is struggling financially or constantly in pursuit of a job all because they dropped out of school at 16 not really realizing the mistake they were making? On account of the low achievements of scores in schools that have caused worry some now say there should be a stipulation established for the dropout age to be diminished down to 14 from 16. The real question now is should the regulations be changed? No, it should not be moved from 16 to 14 it should stay the same or increase.
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.