More N.C. Students Dropping Out

Raleigh, N.C. — More high school students are dropping out of North Carolina high schools, according to a report released Thursday.

Statewide, 23,550 students dropped out last year, or about 5.24 percent of students enrolled in public high schools. That was up from 22,180 students, or 5.04 percent of enrollment, in 2005-06.

"North Carolinians need to make sure these young people realize how tough it can be for them once they bypass their high school diploma," State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee said in a statement. "High school graduation today is a bare minimum for economic survival, and we need to support all students so that they graduate from high school."

Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson said the rising dropout rate shows a number of strategies must be explored to solve the dropout problem. Such efforts include more literacy coaches in North Carolina middle schools to prepare students for high school, the Learn and Earn program to offer students a chance to earn college credit for free in high school and grants for innovative dropout prevention programs.

The number of dropouts jumped 14.6 percent in Wake County last year, to 1,647, but the district's dropout rate remained well below the state average, at 4.21 percent. Likewise, Johnston County saw a 12.4 percent increase in dropouts, to 454, pushing its dropout rate above the state average, at 5.39 percent.

The number of dropouts in Durham County fell by 2.3 percent, to 508, and its dropout rate dipped below the state average, at 4.9 percent. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County school districts also reported fewer dropouts last year.

Statewide, almost one-third of the dropouts left school in the ninth grade, and 78 percent of the students who dropped out were between ages 16 and 18.

Dropout rates for black students (6.16 percent) and white students (4.52 percent) rose in the past year, while rates for Hispanic students (7.66 percent) and American Indian students (7.71 percent), declined.

About three of every five dropouts are boys.

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Latest Comments

Perhaps the headline should really say "NC Taxpayers to Pay More For More People On Welfare." But, it doesnt but we really know thats what is really gonna end up happening.

jgordonfan
February 8, 2008 5:30 p.m.

S82R, some kids have 1 retention and and they're behind. Some of these retention were caused initially by the EOG when there was no clarification of the standards...if you failed the test, you failed your grade..I worked very hard with others to get the legislature to review that policy. If any child wants an education regardless of age, he/she shouls be able to get it.

catwoman1
February 8, 2008 3:15 p.m.

S82R, Don't discount a child becasue of age. If a child has a birthday after mid October then they have to wait an extra year to enter the public schools system. That means they may be closer to eight when they start.

inquistitor
February 8, 2008 11:46 a.m.

1/3 were 9th graders and 78% were 16-18.

How many of those fit into both categories? There is obviously overlap. If a kid is 16, 17, or 18 and in the 9th grade then it's time for them to drop out and get a job because they obviously aren't academic achievers....

S82R
February 7, 2008 6:58 p.m.

claudnc - first off, I applaud you and your work! I look forward to the day when kids are educated enough to not get pregnant before they're ready.

Secondly, I never saw Awits comments and if anything I said offended him/her, I heartly apologize.

Thirdly, I am guessing that you believe me to be speaking from a cliff far above anyone who has dropped out - I'm not. I'm firmly on the ground holding a sign for these kids that reads: I've been there! I've done that! I've suffered the consequences! I wouldn't do it again for anything!

Fortunately, I realized my mistake, got my GED and am currently in college.

Oh, pregnancy and drugs was not my reasons for quitting. I had a mother who told me even if finished high school, I wouldn't be going to college because she was going to pay for it and at 16, I didn't know about student loans and other types of financial help for college.

Basically, I gave up when I thought I couldn't go to college. Dumb reason to quit!

Closed II
February 7, 2008 6:43 p.m.