Economic Impact
High school graduates earn an average of $8,000 more each year than non-graduates. Click here for state-by-state earnings data for high school dropouts, high school graduates, and individuals with postsecondary degrees.
To see how a community’s economy benefits by increasing its graduation rate, visit The Graduation Effect
Why Students Drop Out
McDermott, E., Donlan, A., & Zaff, J. (2018) Why Do Students Drop Out? Turning Points and Long-Term Experiences.
Doll, J., Eslami, Z., & Walters, L. (2013). Understanding Why Students Drop Out of High School, According to Their Own Reports. SAGE Open, 3
U.S. Department of Education. (2017). Chronic Absenteeism in The Nation’s Schools.
Dropout Rates by State
National Center for Education Statistics Fast Facts High School Graduation Rates (2016-17)
Education Week Research Center analysis of NCES data, 2019 State by State 2016-17 Graduation Rates
Kids Count (2019) National Data Indicators: Education
Education Week Quality Counts 2019 Highlights Reports(national report and reports by state)
Attendance Laws
National Center for Education Statistics.Compulsory school attendance laws, minimum and maximum age limits for required free education, by state: 2017
Education Commission of the States. (2017). Age Requirements for Free and Compulsory Education.
U.S. Department of Education. (2017). Chronic Absenteeism in The Nation’s Schools.
The Bottom Line: School Dropout Information
Tags: statistics