Dissertation Prompt Sample - High School Dropout Rates

Why is the news media very interested on tracking high school dropout rates in the US? This information is considered by the media as a scoop since it indicates whether American schools have succeeded or failed in their implementation of an effective educational system. Most often, the rates quoted by one publication to another differ significantly due to lack of absolute data to base their calculation of dropout rates. High school dropouts are hardly defined, and there are different ways to calculate the rates. These are the reasons why publication of high school dropout rates in the US may be subject to further scrutiny.

Who are really considered dropouts? The definition of this term may vary widely according to the state, district, and school within a district using the word “dropout” in a different meaning. Some districts may exclude students who drop out during the summer period as dropouts, while others may include them in the overall calculation of rates. It is interesting to note that the records of several districts are more complete than others, because they follow up on students who fail to return to school after summer to know what happened.

How can the state help in reducing the rates of high school dropouts? A success story highlighted in the 2010 high school dropout report in Washington County, Md., showed that there was an increase in the high school’s graduation from 78 percent recorded in 2000 to 92 percent rate in 2010. Washington County was able to improve its sagging status by devising a school strategy in 2001. Qualified teachers were assigned to work with those who had the tendency to drop out from school. A personal support system was offered to parents of “at-risk students” within the school period. Aside from this, summer and evening classes were held to enable students complete their graduation requirements.

Conclusion: Economists project that for the next decade, the US will need 20 million college graduates for the country’s workforce, but it is expected to have a shortfall by around 3 million. Although the unemployment rate is more than 8 per cent, business leaders claim that it will be hard to recruit educated and skilled workers in the US if the alarming rates of high school dropouts will continue to rise. Therefore, it’s time for local governments to do what Washington County did to improve the declining graduation rates.