Teens Who are High School Dropouts (Ages 16-19)

Measures

Rate (per 1,000) of youth, grades 9-12, who have dropped out of high school during the school year.

Rate (per 1,000) of youth, ages 16-19 yrs., who are not enrolled in school and are not high school graduates.


Why is this indicator important?

Dropping out of high school is strongly related to negative outcomes, including substance abuse, risky sexual activity, unplanned pregnancy and involvement in criminal behavior.

The decision to drop out is a dangerous one for the student, particularly in a post-Industrial and technological age in which workers need at least a high school diploma to compete in the workforce.  High school dropouts, on average, earn $9,200 less per year than high school graduates, and about $1 million less over a lifetime than college graduates.  A dropout is more than eight times as likely to be in jail or prison as a person with at least a high school diploma. (From The Silent Epidemic).

Once students have dropped out of school, they may require special services to continue their education or to obtain and maintain employment.  Their success in getting back to school or into the workforce is important for the quality of life in the community.


For more information about High School Dropouts in Georgia see the Georgia Family Connection Partnership's Best Practices Fact Sheets - Preventing High School Failure Under No Child Left Behind (Winter 2006)


How are we doing in Hall County?

• According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Georgia ranks in the bottom 10 in the nation for high school dropouts and Hall County ranks 142 out of 159 counties in Georgia.

• In 2008-09, 233 (2.9%) Hall County students in grades 9-12 dropped out of school.

• In 2008-09, 70 (4.7%) Gainesville City students in grades 9-12 dropped out of school.

• The 2000 U.S. Census reports that 29.5% of Hall County adults 25 and over had no high school diploma, compared to 21.4 % in Georgia.

Note:  Students are reported as dropouts if they leave school for one of the following reasons: Marriage, Expelled, Financial Hardship/Job, Incarcerated/Under Jurisdiction of Juvenile or Criminal Justice Authority, Low Grades/School Failure, Military, Adult Education/Postsecondary, Pregnant/Parent, Removed for Lack of Attendance, Serious Illness/Accident, and Unknown.

Note:  The dropout rate calculation is the number of students with a withdrawal code corresponding to a dropout divided by the number of students that attended the school.  The number of students that attended the school is based on any student reported in the Student Record and excludes no-shows.


What does research tell us we can do to improve this indicator?

• Create safe school climates that are orderly and non-threatening

• Increase families' engagement in the school to improve their children's success

• Provide alternative schooling that pays special attention to the student's individual social needs and academic requirements for a high school diploma

• Monitor and track student progress 

• Locate and offer opportunities to students to be engaged in meaningful service to their schools and communities

• Increase use of Graduation Coaches in all Middle and High Schools

• Address the underlying causes of dropping out

• Address the needs of the groups at highest risk of dropping out

• Strengthen school readiness

• Strengthen the skills and understanding of the adults who affect teens' motivation and ability to stay in school