| A Closer Look At Dropout Rates |
 |
 |
| Monday, 10 August 2009 08:58 |
|
Get involved: In order to be part of the solution, you need to know the true extent of the problem. Find out your school’s graduation rate and how it is calculated. Dropout Statistics in the USA
Dropout Statistics and Race/Ethnicity The dropout rates by race/ethnicity are as follows: 6.7% for American Indian/Alaska Native students, 2.5% for Asian/Pacific Islander students, 5.8% for Hispanic students, 6% for Black, non-Hispanic students and 2.8% for White, non-Hispanic students.
Dropout Statistics and Family Income Children from low-income families have a higher drop out rate than students from middle income and high income families. This trend is consistent since 1972. For instance, in 2006, drop out rates for low income students was around 9%, compared to a little under 4% for middle income students and 2% for high income students. (View graph).
Research shows that poor and minority students attend the 2,000 high schools that produce more than 50% of the dropouts in the U.S. at significantly higher rates. (Committee on Education & Labor)
Want to share with us some of the things that you have done to help motivate kids in your neighborhood or family to stay in school? Email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and let us know what worked for you.
|
Currently, not all states calculate dropout rates using the same method. Some states count students as drop outs only if he or she notifies the school. Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings required that by 2011, all states use the same method to calculate drop out rates by tracking each student’s progress. Initially, the new method may negatively impact graduation rates. For instance, in 2003, the District of Colombia reported a graduated rate of 73%, but the new national database calculated it to be 59%.