The Dropout Crisis: Understanding and Addressing Factors Behind the Growing High School Dropout Rate

The issue of high school dropout rates remains a pressing concern for educators, policymakers, and communities. Despite efforts to improve graduation rates, there is an ongoing debate about why the dropout rate is at an elevated level. This article explores the key factors contributing to this trend, with a focus on societal and educational challenges that can make high school unappealing to many students.

High School is Too Demanding: Student Perspectives

Many students cite the demanding nature of high school as a primary reason for dropping out. According to a recent survey, a significant number of students feel overwhelmed by the academic pressure. Physics, in particular, is often cited as one of the most challenging subjects, which can lead to discouragement and disengagement (High school is too demanding, too difficult).

Changes in Academic Offerings

The availability of advanced placement (AP) classes has also been a topic of discussion. While some schools have expanded their course offerings, others have not kept pace with changing student needs. For instance, the survey indicates that AP classes were not offered during the student's time, which could contribute to feelings of inadequacy and ultimately lead to dropping out (They made you take physics when I was in high school. They didn't even offer AP classes).

Better Intervention Earlier

A common argument is that kids start falling behind in middle school, but do not receive significant intervention until high school when it becomes too late. This delay in providing support can exacerbate academic gaps and contribute to the dropout rate. However, shorter summer breaks and more frequent assessments can help in catching students who are falling behind earlier (Shorten the summer break to a couple of weeks and the kids won't fall behind).

Reevaluating the School Calendar

Eliminating summer break and reducing it to a few weeks can be a contentious issue, but it highlights the importance of continuous learning. The typical school calendar often includes a long summer break, which can cause students to lose some of what they have learned over the course of the year. By reducing this break, schools could help students retain more of their knowledge, possibly leading to better performance and higher graduation rates (Every grade except first grade the entire first quarter is spent reviewing the year before).

Discussion on Data and Recent Trends

It is also important to revisit the statistics to understand the current state of high school dropout rates. The report from Child Trends, titled 'High School Dropout Rates,' provides data that suggests fewer students are dropping out compared to previous years, contradicting the common narrative of increasing dropout rates (Why are more high school students dropping out in 2019, High School Dropout Rates - Child Trends).

The key takeaway is that while there is still a significant issue, focusing solely on the negative trend can divert attention from potential solutions. Instead, a comprehensive approach that addresses the challenges faced by students, ensures adequate support systems, and reevaluates our educational structures can help in reducing the dropout rate.

Conclusion

The high school dropout rate remains a concerning issue, but it is not an insurmountable problem. By understanding the underlying factors, such as the difficulty of subjects, changes in academic offerings, and the lack of early intervention, we can work towards creating more supportive and engaging educational environments. This will require collaborative efforts from educators, policymakers, and communities to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and graduate high school.

References

(Child Trends, High School Dropout Rates, 2019)