Fact
Sheet
Every year, approximately 1.23 million students fail to
graduate from high school, more than half of whom are from
minority groups. Over the course of his or
her lifetime, a high school dropout, on average, earn
$260,000 less than a high school graduate.
Not only do the individuals themselves suffer but are
responsible for substantial financial and social costs to
the communities in which they live.
Without a high school
diploma, many youth will be more for likely to spend their
lives significantly unemployed, on governmental assistance
or cycling in and out of the prison system.
Obtaining a high school diploma is a major credential
that individuals need on the road to becoming useful and
productive citizens. The Foundation's goal is to
increase the number of high school graduates.
There is a myriad of education programs with differing
requirements for participation. The Foundation seeks
to develop alliances with the programs that make the best
fit for the students and their families.
The facts about high school dropout rates are shocking
but true. The Foundation is dedicated to changing these
statistics one student at a time…
Timing is Everything…
- Nationally, a student drops out of school every 9
seconds.
Students aren’t the only ones paying
the price…
- In 2004, High School dropouts will cost the U.S.
more than $325 billion in lost wages, taxes and
productivity over their lifetime.
- High School graduates will earn nearly $333,000 more
in their lifetime than dropouts.
A survey in March 2006 of young people who left high
school without graduating, by Civic Enterprise and Peter
D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, gave insight as to why, how and what
can be done to save the lives of our children…
Why are they giving up?
- Personal reasons for dropping out:
- 32% had to get a job and make money
- 26% became a parent
- 22% had to care for a family member
Tell-Tale Signs…
- 65% of respondents missed class often the year
before dropping out
- 38% believed they had “too much freedom” and not
enough rules
- 68% said their parents became more involved only
when they were aware that their child was on the verge
of dropping out.
Regrets…
- 81% now feel that graduating from high school is
important to success in life
- 74% say that if they were able to relive the
experience, they would have stayed in school
- 47% say that not having a diploma makes it hard to
find a good job.
The Foundation is committed to improving the lives of
at-risk youth. We recognize and utilize the facts and
statistics about high school dropouts to create a
learning environment that encourages attendance,
learning and genuine interest from our students.
© 2008
The Bridge to Excellence Foundation, Inc.
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