Research ties W.Va. dropouts to metro economies
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—West Virginia's metropolitan areas could pump up their economies by millions of dollars if they drive down the dropout rates at their public schools, new research suggests.
The Washington, D.C. based Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that keeping half those children in school would increase annual incomes by a combined $17.3 million for the Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Weirton and Wheeling metro areas.
Other benefits would include $12.9 million more in annual consumer spending and a $20.3 million boost to the economic outputs of these areas by the career midpoints of those students, the nonprofit group said. The improved earnings