Should Students Be Allowed To Drop Out Of High School

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.

If you never went to school where do you think that you would end up? Do you think that you would have a job? If so what kind of job do you think you would have, flipping hamburgers at a fast food restaurant, or working at a grocery store? Maybe you would have another job, one that doesn't pay well with lots of manual labour. Poverty is a major problem in America, little did you know that one major factor leading to them can be easily solved. When kids drop out of school they do not think about their future, that can be completely destroyed by one simple choice. Kids should legally not be allowed to drop out of high school because that has a major negative impact on their future, their children, and on their surroundings.

In the past decade, the issue of high school dropouts has been a major problem in the United States. On the other hand, several studies have shown that in 2015 students are still dropping out, but not nearly at the dropout rate since 2008. Nevertheless, there is still a high school dropout crisis. In today’s society the majority of student’s dropout for reasons such as their financial state at home, the increased teen pregnancy rate, and the pressure of alcohol and drugs.

It is a big concern for many in the United States dealing with high school dropouts. Ever year the rate of high school dropouts is increasing at a rapid pace than expected. The dropout rate of persons under the age of 18 has risen from 8.1% in 2009 to 9.2 % in 2012 according to the National Center for Education Services. These kids are leaving school at a young age and have a lot of spare time on their hands and when this occurs, persons around their years of 18 can end up in trouble. The education system of the United States are trying their best to keep these children in school and earn their education. There are some states that already have programs and laws that requires children to attend high school till they graduate with their

The decision to give up on earning a high school diploma will often have a severe impact on a student’s future. Educational advocate Missy Remiss states, “Those without a highschool diploma are likely to have lower earnings, higher unemployment, lower job satisfaction- they even have a higher likelihood of ending up in jail or on public assistance.” The effects of this decision will often cause problems for the rest of the students’ lives. States need to do all they can to prevent this from occurring. Raising the dropout age of students would prevent more people from living below the poverty line and cost less for states with fewer people on public assistance. According to a data analysis from 2009 by the U.S Department of Education, a high school dropout earns about $7,840 less than they would with a diploma. Staying in school for just a little longer could majorly diminish this

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.

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

Believe it or not, the legal age for students to graduate high school in 21 states is age 18. This means that students do not get to make their own choices on whether they want to stay in school till 18 or drop out. Students should be able to leave school when wanted and should not be required to stay in school till age 18.

The first reason the high school dropout age should be raised, is because the graduation rates will go up. For example, according to New Hampshire Deputy Commissioner of Education, Paul Leather, “When you raise the compulsory age of education, the graduation and retention rates will in fact increase.” This shows how

Even though school completion rates have continually grown during much of the past 100 years, dropping out of school persists as a problem that interferes with educational system efficiency and the most straightforward and satisfying route to individual educational goals for young people.(Doll, Eslami, and Walters (2013) pg 185 ) .

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once stated, “high school dropouts are forfeiting their opportunity to pursue the American Dream.” He states that by adolescents not receiving a full high school education, it would ruin the chances of living the American Dream. Young adults should be required to stay in school until they are eighteen. Staying in school until eighteen helps with financial benefits, having a higher chance at success, and refute the belief that dropping out may help with struggling families or not putting faculty or other teens at risk. Specifically, staying in school benefits financial income.

Second, for the students who are thinking about dropping out at the age of 18, when that time comes they

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.