Education Research Report: Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates

Education Research Report: Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates:

Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates

by Jonathan Kantrowitz

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According to a new NCES report, approximately 3 million 16- through 24-year-olds were not enrolled in high school and had not earned a high school diploma or alternative credential as of October 2008. These dropouts represented 8 percent of the 38 million noninstitutionalized, civilian individuals in this age group living in the United States, according to Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 1972–2009.


The report updates a series of NCES reports on high school dropout and completion rates that began in 1988. The report includes national and regional population estimates for the percentage of students who dropped out of high school between 2008 and 2009, the percentage of young people who were dropouts in 2009, and the

Peer Review: Getting Serious About Teacher Support and Evaluation

by Jonathan Kantrowitz

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For this study, SRI International and J. Koppich & Associates examined the peer assistance and review (PAR) programs in the Poway and San Juan school districts in California. This is not the first study of these exemplary programs. Indeed, one of the reasons they selected the PAR programs at these sites was because of their reputations for excellence. Given the current tumultuous policy environment, the authors believed a fresh look at these programs was in order.

Policymakers Are Looking For Effective Solutions for Evaluating Teachers

Teacher effectiveness and evaluation are topics in high policy relief. Policymakers continue to seek means to