A Guide to Understanding the Well-Being of Children & Families in Erie County, Pennsylvania
Secondary School Dropouts
CHARTS
Secondary School Dropout Percentages by DistrictMEASUREMENT
Secondary school dropouts are reported by school Evaluation Services of Standard and Poor's.1 Standard and Poor's analyzed data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Secondary school dropouts are the number of students enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 and secondary ungraded students who dropped out during a single school year divided by the fall headcount enrollment in those grades and multiplied by 100.
DESCRIPTION
Graduating from high school is critical for pursuing post-secondary education or getting a good job. Ongoing changes in the economy have increased the financial costs of dropping out. Teens who drop out of secondary school face enormous odds for achieving financial success in life. over their lifetime, high school dropouts will earn significantly less than high school graduates and less than half of what college graduates are likely to make during their lifetime.
As America moves into the 21st century, when advanced skills and technical knowledge will be required for most good-paying jobs, the prospects for those who have not completed high school will be limited. The economic gap between those with a high school diploma and those who drop out is likely to grow.
Additionally, large numbers of dropouts create an under-educated workforce that inhibits business expansion and growth of the local economy.
DATA ANALYSIS
- The City of Erie, Corry, Fort LeBoeuf, Girard, Millcreek and Northwestern school districts had higher than Pennsylvania state average for both 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
- Dauphin and Northampton counties had higher dropout percentages than Erie County.
- In 2000-20001, Harrisburg had almost a three-time higher dropout percentage than the City of Erie.
FOOTNOTE
1 School Evaluation Services (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2003, from http://www.ses.standardandpoors.com