Fixing and Preventing the Dropout Rate

Fixing and Preventing the Dropout Rate

America’s substantial school dropout problem is perhaps its most public moral, social, and economic crisis. It has been estimated that only two-thirds of students graduate from high school. Dropout figures for minority and low-income students are far more distressing: one half of them do not graduate. It has been reported that students who dropout are more likely to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, on public assistance, and become single parents.
USA Today reported that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development places the United States 18th among the 36 nations examined. This seemingly downward trend of United States education can only have a negative effect of the state of the economy. In such a tumultuous economic time, we need to do whatever we can to improve the US graduation rate, and thus bringing about positive effects to our economy.
In an online article entitled, “Preventing Dropout and Promoting School Completion” it states that dropping out of school is a process of disengagement that begins early. Many students who drop out of school have expressed an extreme form of disengagement from school preceded by signs of withdrawal (e.g., poor attendance) and unsuccessful school experiences (e.g., academic or behavioral difficulties). In an effort to prevent school dropout, early interventions must be implemented.
Dr. Jay Smink, Executive Director of the National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University, the associates of the Center and Mr. Franklin Schargel, have identified 15 strategies to help prevent school dropout. They have been recognized by the U.S, Department of Education and the National Education Goals Panel as “the most effective strategies to help prevent school dropouts.”

The Basic Core Strategies
 Mentoring/Tutoring
 Service Learning
 Alternative Schooling
 After School Opportunities

Early Interventions
 Early Childhood Education
 Family Engagement
 Early Literacy Development

Making the Most of Instruction
 Professional Development
 Active Learning
 Educational Technology
 Individualized Instruction

Making the Most of the Wider Community
 Systemic Renewal
 School-Community Collaboration
 Safe Schools

Although these strategies have shown effectiveness in reducing the dropout rate of students, there are obstacles which may prevent districts from being able successfully implement them. The greatest obstacle would be the cost needed to put into practice many of these strategies. In addition, some of the strategies which involve parental involvement and/or input would be quite difficult in low income areas where parents are commonly not involved for numerous reasons (e.g. working many jobs, drug/alcohol abuse, etc).
There is little hope our economy, society as a whole, and the ability to sustain and/or improve our nation’s competitive edge can progress without reducing our nation’s horrific dropout rate.