Dropping Out
Reasons Given For Dropping Out Of School:
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 ~First Follow-up Study, 1990.
Reasons:
School Related: |
Total |
Male |
Female |
| Did not like school | 51.2 | 57.8 | 44.2 |
| Could not get along with teachers | 35.0 | 51.6 | 17.2 |
| Could not get along with students | 20.1 | 18.3 | 21.9 |
| Was suspended too often | 16.1 | 19.2 | 12.7 |
| Did not feel safe at school | 12.1 | 11.5 | 12.8 |
| Was expelled | 13.4 | 17.6 | 8.9 |
| Felt I didn't belong | 23.2 | 31.5 | 14.4 |
| Could not keep up with school work | 31.3 | 37.6 | 24.7 |
| Was failing school | 39.9 | 46.2 | 33.1 |
| Changed school, didn't like new one | 13.2 | 10.8 | 15.8 |
Job related: |
Total |
Male |
Female |
| Couldn't work and go to school at same time | 14.1 | 20.0 | 7.8 |
| Had to get a job | 15.3 | 14.7 | 16.0 |
| Family related | 15.3 | 18.6 | |
| Had to support family | 9.2 | 4.8 | 14.0 |
| Wanted to have family | 6.2 | 4.2 | 8.4 |
| Was pregnant | 31.0 | 31.0 | |
| Became parent | 13.6 | 5.1 | 22.6 |
| Got married | 13.1 | 3.4 | 23.6 |
| Had to care for family member | 8.3 | 4.6 | 12.2 |
 |
|||
Other: |
Total |
Male |
Female |
| Wanted to travel | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Friends dropped out | 14.1 | 16.8 | 11.3 |
Reasons For NOT Dropping Out Of School
72% more likely to be unemployed.
More likely to make only about 75% as much money.
More likely to fall below poverty level.
Many jobs require a of high school diploma.
Going back to school when you are an adult is difficult.
Returning To School
It’s never too late to return to school if you’ve already left. There are many alternative educational programs throughout Western New York, and you can also get your GED (General Equivalency Diploma) through many evening education programs.
Did you know…
More than 860,000 adults worldwide take the GED Tests each year.
Those who obtain scores high enough to earn a GED credential outperform at least 40 percent of today’s high school seniors.
GED graduates include: comedian Bill Cosby, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, Delaware’s Governor Ruth Ann Minner, and U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado.
States is based on passing the GED Tests.
More than 95 percent of U.S. employers consider GED graduates the same as traditional high school graduates in regard to hiring, salary, and opportunity for advancement.
Source: Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials, 2002.
Need Help?
The Kids' Helpline can help you stay in school. Talk to someone about the problems you're having instead of dropping out. Call us at 716-834-1144 or toll free at 1(877)KIDS-400 today! We can also help you find additional resources about alternative educational opportunities and the GED.
Dropping Out: Local Resources and Additional Resources & Links