Running Head: HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

Community Problem Report: High School Dropouts

RWS 1301
November 1, 2015
April Lizalde

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

Abstract
People who do not complete high school are affected as an individual but also affect
those close to them and more importantly the community. Although, many students have
continued to drop out there are programs that are intended to prevent this or to put these people
back on track. It is shown that by these people that drop out the economy is also affected because
they are not bringing in a large amount of tax revenues. Statistics also show those who drop out
are more likely to be substance abusers. They are also more likely to have mental health
problems in the long run due to being stressed about not making enough for financial
satisfaction.

Key Words: Substance abuse, mental health, high school dropouts,

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

Introduction
Many sources inform us that people dropping out of high school has become a bigger
issue worldwide and locally. In most of the research high school students dropping out is even
considered a crisis in the United States. Although, in some places statistics are decreasing for the
amount of people that are not completing high school. According to research done by the U.S.
Department of Education Institute of Education Science National Center for Educational
Statistics the median annual earnings of full-time year-round workers based on educational
attainment has been at a steady rate of those who have less than high school completion earning
less than thirty thousand from 2000-2013. In other research done based on students who do not
complete high school it was shown in their results that these people are more likely to depend on
substance, be involved in crimes, and have mental health problems. They also used results from
the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to base their research on. From the research
done and the results of this research it is projected that between 9.3% and 43.7% of freshman
will not receive their high school diploma after being in high school for four years. Participants
for this research were from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The survey conducted
in 2010 was of people twelve years or older and they had a total of 68,487 respondents. Based on
this research it is shown that those people who do not complete high school face many
consequences from their annual income to their mental health, substance abuse, and crime
involvement.
Income Based on Educational Attainment
According to research done it is evident based on the statistics that those who do not
acquire a high school diploma make a significant less yearly income from those who acquired a
Masters degree or higher. From years 2000-2013 those who had less than high school

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

completion made a little over twenty thousand but no more than thirty thousand. Those who did
complete high school and attained a diploma or GED made a yearly income of about thirty
thousand to thirty-five thousand. People who attained an Associates degree made at least about
thirty-seven thousand and no more than forty-three thousand. Others acquired a Bachelors
degree and made a minimal of fifty thousand and at most about fifty-five thousand. The ones
who have had the highest yearly income are those who have attained a Masters degree or higher
which is a minimal of about fifty-eight thousand and at most about sixty-five thousand. These
results were from years 2000 to 2013 and were on full-time year-round workers from ages
twenty-five to thirty-four. Their educational attainment also made a difference in the percentage
of people who worked full time. In year 2013 seventy-two percent of people with a Bachelors
degree worked full time meanwhile only sixty-two percent of those who had completed high
school and had a high school diploma or anything to its equivalence worked full time. From
2000-2013 the percentage of those who did not complete high school and worked full time
decreased from fifty-nine percent to fifty-three percent. For those who had anything above a high
school diploma or its equivalence the
percentage of those who worked full
time year round stayed about the
same.
In other research it is shown
Figure 1. This graph sows annual earnings of fulltime year-round workers.
Copyright 2015 NCES

that not only are yearly earnings

effected by the decision of not

completing high school but also the amount of money you earn in a lifetime. Based on the
statistics given by the American Community Survey from years 2008 to 2012 the highest

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

percentage for those who do not have a high school diploma, are not enrolled in school, and are
working is for those who are eighteen years of age and are males. The lowest percentage based
on this research are first-generation immigrants which stand at twenty-five percent and were
currently working who did not have a high school diploma and were not attending school. This
research is based on youth ages sixteen to eighteen years who are not enrolled in school and have
not acquired a high school diploma or anything to its equivalence. Most of these sixteen to
eighteen year olds dropped out in either tenth or eleventh grade and are native born US citizens.
The largest ethnic group who drop out of high school are non-Hispanic whites which stand at
forty-five percent followed by Hispanics who were at thirsty-two percent. African Americans
have the lowest percentage of those who drop out, seventeen percent. About thirty percent of
those who drop out choose to work. From these who work most are males, Hispanic, and do not
live with a parent.
Effects of Dropping Out
Based on the research it shows there are sever consequences not only on the individual
who drops out but also on the economy and society. Through their research it shows that poverty,
living conditions, bad health, and other negative problems are a huge contribution to the students
that do not complete high school. It is shown that most students who drop out have had a
negative outlook on their education. They also think students who have social issues or academic
issues become distant from school and their education. Those who drop out provide a minimal
amount of tax revenues affecting the economy and work productivity. Most people who drop out
will only make minimum wage leading to them not meeting their financial needs. Due to not
meeting their financial needs they become involved with criminal activity to meet their needs.

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

This research also shows that more than eighty percent of people in prison did not complete high
school so do not have a high school diploma.
Besides those people who drop out having a higher chance of being involved in criminal
activity they are also at a higher risk of being
substance abusers and have mental health
problems. They mostly abuse cigarettes,
alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and
Figure 2. This graph represents the past month
substance use in 12th grade aged youths from
2002 to 2010.
Copyright 2013 NSDUH

methamphetamine. In the results it shows

that most students who dropped depended
on some form of substance whether it be

alcohol or drugs. According to the research most people that fall onto this track is because they
become stressed due to not having enough money to meet their financial needs. This then leads
to then depending on any form of substance to relive their stress.
Conclusion
The effects of those who decide to not to acquire a high school diploma or its
equivalence, as shown in the research, apply to the individual, their family, and most importantly
society. However, there are ways to put these people back on track. There are programs designed
specifically for these people to help them and lead them to a better education. One program
designed to lead all students to the right path in education are the early college high schools
which allow students to earn a high school diploma and college credits at the same time. It has
improved the percentage of students who get a college education which is at 92% if attending an
early college high school. There are also tech academies to help students advance and make sure
they get an education further than a high school diploma.

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

References
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Integrating High School with College to Create Early College High Schools Creates an
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