Student Dropout Essay

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

Year after year, the college graduation rate of African Americans has risen and fallen; however, most of these students that begin college have every intention of graduating. It is very unfortunate how high the percent of first year college dropouts is because many people think that African American students just sit there and don’t learn anything at all but, in fact, they do try very hard and sometimes put in more effort than their white peers. Due to the mentality that most people have, some of them think that the only reason African American students drop out of college is because their grades, but this is far from true since most students drop out due to causes such as financial pressure and health problems, along with mental, emotional,

are not used to freedom, it can be hard to understand that they now have to make

Many high school students succeed with a little leniency through their four years. The transfer from high school to college becomes overwhelming and a struggle for some. For students do not comprehend the importance of changing more than their location during the transition. A student must be psychologically, physically, and emotionally mature to pursue college and not venture into a point of no return. Dropping out of college makes the outlook of the conversion difficult to acquire. Individuals should take their time on deciding which college and/or university is the best match for them. There are various reasons that cause persons not to prosper. Issues that individuals may come upon might leave a lifelong scar. Matters such as these

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

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

Entering high school is the beginning of a whole new learning experience. Transitioning from middle school, high school presents more classes, students, and a bigger campus. It brings new expectations and responsibilities to each of us. High school also offers fresh chances to make new friends, try new sports and activities, and really explore who we are as individuals. The goal is to maintain good grades, score high on the SAT test, and keep a positive attitude so colleges and universities will accept you. Of course it's not as easy at sounds, but it's achievable. It requires a lot of work and dedication to every subject. Some students breeze their way through while others live in misery trying to pass their

When I was small I was told that the worst thing I could do at school or college is dropout. As a kid all my brain thought was if I dropped out I would never be successful in my life. Then came middle school where I realized that it dropout = life failure was a lie. The main person that taught me this was Michael Dell(mainly) with some other amazing and successful dropouts like Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Larry Page, Paul Allen and more were all drop outs because they had a huge interest on something they loved doing. Doesn’t mean go dropout for no reason hoping to be successful, it means if you have a passion and you want to embrace it on your own way do it. Michael Dell taught me this and this is why he is my business men

(3) Yet, a student is exempt from this policy if he fulfills the requirements under article 25.086 in the education code. (4) This policy lists the students who are exempt from the compulsory attendance age. Under this policy, a student of at least 17 years old working on an exam equivalent to high school with a few other requirements and a student of at least 16 years old also preparing to take an exam equivalent to high school with a few other requirements are exempt from the compulsory attendance age stated in section 25.085. (4) Both of these policies contribute to the percentage of high school dropouts. The question that boggles my mind is if students have to attend school until the age of 18 or can complete an exam equivalent to high school if they are exempt under section 25.085, then according to the Texas on the Brink report, why does Texas have such a low percentage of students who graduate from high school? (3,5) Because of the definition of dropout by NCES, I do not consider the students under section 25.086 as dropouts because they are “enrolled in grades 7-12,” are “not expelled,” do not graduate, but do get their GED. (2) Therefore, they are not dropouts. However since these students do not actually graduate from high school,

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.