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Better results for kids and families through research-informed policy

Executive Summary

1.   What Results Do You Want?

Individuals and society alike benefit from increased high school graduation rates. High school graduates earn more, live longer and make greater contributions to society on a number of measures than those who drop out. In contrast, high school dropouts face bleak economic futures and the cost to society is in the billions of dollars. In comparison to other industrialized democracies, the United States graduation rate is low; this is a risk to the nation’s competitive standing in the global economy. See more information on related priorities and indicators.

2.   How Are Your Kids?   

Annually, close to one quarter of high school students (approximately 1 million students) fail to graduate on time, while close to 5 million young adults ages 18 to 24 currently lack a high school diploma. Stark disparities exist along racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender and geographic lines. And recent progress on increasing graduation rates has stalled. If current trends continue, nearly 13 million students will drop out over the next decade, costing the U.S. $3 trillion. See data for your state, and guidance for understanding root causes, projections and setting targets.

3.   What Can Policymakers Do?

   Strategies  

  • Champion higher graduation rates.
  • Raise the maximum compulsory and allowable school attendance ages.
  • Include graduation rates in state accountability systems.
  • Expand options for earning course credit.

Support student success from preschool to adulthood.

  • Improve middle school teaching and learning.
  • Support students in the transition to high school.
  • Increase academic standards.
  • Improve curriculum relevance.
  • Strengthen teaching and leadership.

Target interventions to high-need students and schools.

  • Identify and support at-risk students.
  • Invest in dropout recovery strategies.
  • Target dropout factories for aggressive interventions.

   Success Story: Texas

4.   How Can You Ensure Success?

A number of steps can be taken to improve the success of policy strategies adopted in this area. See more guidance on overseeing implementation and ensuring accountability.

5.   How Can You Sustain Success?

Guidance on Financing and Investing in Results and Financing Options. 

State Laws to Increase Graduation Rates.  Since the passage of No Child Left Behind in 2002, 36 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws directed at lowering dropout rates and increasing graduation rates. Find state legislation enacted to address dropout prevention and other related issues in the National Conference of State Legislatures Education Bill Tracking Database.  Find state profiles, maps and tools on effective prevention and recovery strategies, and read more from Jobs for the Future.

Kentucky’s KnowHow2GOKy campaign is a multimedia campaign targeting middle and high school students and their parents to encourage planning, enrollment, and success in college. Additionally, the state’s Individual Learning Plan is an on-line college and career counseling program for students in grades 6 through 12. For more on the national KnowHow2Go campaign.

Successful Drop Out Recovery. Research found that most successful dropout recovery programs are flexible, link to postsecondary education and employment and provide strong systems of student support.