Free Custom «High School Dropouts» Essay Paper

Introduction:

High school dropout is on the rise these days. It is experienced in every part of the world. The highest rate of these dropouts is concentrated in the developing countries. This does not mean the developed countries are spared either. In America dropouts are shooting very high. 16 % of the 24 year olds are not enrolled in school. This means they have not earned a high school credential which could either be a diploma or an equivalent credential. Although most high school dropout cases are due to individual reasons, social problems play an important role.

Causes of High School Dropouts:

High school dropouts can be caused by several reasons. These include the following: The socio-economic background of the individual. The data available show that students from poor families are most likely to drop out of school than are children from wealthy families. The next reason is being disability. The students with disabilities are also more likely to drop out. American National Study puts it over 40% of disabled youth drop out of school before completing any course. Race and ethnicity is another factor to be blamed for dropouts in high school. Hispanics and African Americans drop out most often as compared to Asian American and white students.

 

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Some academic factors are also known to cause this menace. Research shows that academic factors are related to dropping out. Students who are over age for their classes with poor attendance and with poor grades are more likely to drop out. Absenteeism also causes high school dropout. Most students with poor attendance of classes for reasons other than illness are most likely to drop out. Students who make technical appearances in school fall much behind their fellows in the classroom. This tends to lead to low self-esteem and therefore increases the probability of the student dropping out of school. High occupational aspirations of students may affect their learning in school. Young individuals’ perceive the availability of economic opportunities as a boost to their schooling. This therefore plays a major role in the decision making of the students. Several school dropouts will generally have a lower occupational perception than the learned ones.

Other general reasons for dropouts include: There could be a situation where a student feels he did not like the school in general or the school they were attending and thus prefered another one. Some could complain of constant failure in school or that he could not keep up with school work. Some also claim they did not get along with teachers and/or students. Delinquent students could leave school due to disciplinary problems. Some decide to leave school after suspension or expulsion or simply because they did not feel safe in school. Some also claimed they got employment or had some family to support and could continue with school work. Some students have trouble in the management of both school and work and therefore must drop one and most resort to dropping out of school. Issues of marriage pregnancy or parenthood have led to drop outs too. Alcohol and drug abuse often fall out of school very fast due to pressure.

Effects of High School Dropouts:

High school dropout has several effects and consequences. Technological advancements have increased the need for a skilled labor force. This has transformed high school education into a requirement for entry into the job market. Since this has become a prerequisite for several entry level jobs the economic effects of leaving high school without a diploma are severe. The potentiality of renumeration becomes another major concern. Dropouts are more likely to be unemployed than high school graduates under the hands of unscrupulous employers where they earn less as compared to what a high school graduate could have earned since the employers want to cut on costs.

Other consequences include: Dropouts are most likely to receive public assistance than high school graduates who do not continue further with their education. Dropouts comprised close to 50% of the heads of house holds in the social welfare organizations. Single parenthood may also result from most dropouts. Frustrations of individuals who have dropped out of school may make them end up in Prisons.