ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE NOT TOP REASON FOR HIGH DROPOUT RATES
By Hope Gillette, Voxxi
The data indicates the number one reason (23 percent) for high school student drop out rates is lack of parental encouragement, followed closely by teenage pregnancy (21 percent) and poor attendance (17 percent). Tied for fourth place at 15 percent were reasons relating to academic performance, issues with mental health, and lack of interesting/motivating classes.
Of the 513 high school student drop outs surveyed, all between the ages of 19 and 35, researchers found one-third of them were employed, and of those, 46 percent felt they had no chance of advancement in their current positions.
“It’s certainly not surprising that almost half of young Americans without a high school diploma feel like their career prospects are on shaky ground,” survey spokesman and Everest College regional director of career services John