Dropouts include students in grades 9-12 whose names have been removed for any reason, including moved not known to be continuing, transfer to GED-program, and aged out. The percentage does not include death, extended illness, graduation/completion of a program of studies, transfer to another public/private/home school, or expulsion.

The most significant disadvantage high school dropouts face is lower expected income. Without a high school diploma, a person will find enrolling in a college or trade school to be difficult or even impossible. The increased likelihood of low income, along with the lowered possibility of higher education and career opportunities, tends to make high school dropouts more susceptible to crime, substance abuse, and other characteristics of poverty.

Districts that are successful in lowering the dropout rate usually follow a program of identifying the potential at-risk students, implementing interventions, and changing any factors that can be controlled at the school level.

• Who Drops Out and Why? The Future of Children ( Princeton-Brookings)

• By the Numbers: Dropping Out of High School (PBS)

• Effective Strategies for Drop Out Prevention

• US high school drop out rate reaches record low, driven by improvements among Hispanics and blacks (Pew Research)