Why Do People Drop Out of High School?

Library school drop out (Photo credit: kharied)

by Jordan W Valley

Forty years ago, the US had the highest high school graduation rate in the world. Today, we rank at 19 for high school graduates.

What does this mean? It means that only 70% of students going into the 9th grade will graduate, despite the fact that high school graduates are expected to make more money, to have better jobs, to commit less crimes, and all around live more fulfilling lives.

So what causes people to drop out? There are many reasons.

No Connection

Students who drop out typically fell off the school's radar. They don't get noticed by teachers. They have fewer friends. They don't feel a part of anything. Why would they care about a place that doesn't care about them?

Unmotivated

Obviously a lot of people who don't finish high school don't really have a desire to finish high school. They might be unmotivated because they are connected. Or maybe they don't realize how much a diploma or GED can do for them.

It's Too Hard

When you're a young teenager, there's a lot you don't know. School can be tough. There's a lot to learn, and sometimes you have to learn it really fast. Fall behind and everything can quickly become overwhelming. A third of people who drop out say they were already failing.

It's Not Interesting

Depending on where you go to school, class selection can be limited. Nearly half of drop outs say school wasn't interesting to them. It may have been because there was no classes they wanted to take. Or maybe they didn't see the benefit of learning what they were being taught.

Jobs/Children/Family

Many drop out simply because they have to. Their family doesn't have enough money so they have to get a job. They have an unexpected child they suddenly have to look after. Whatever the case, life brought something their way that took priority over school because it had to. In these cases, dropping out isn't a chance. It's simply something they had to do. The good news in all of this?

It's Not too Late

Whatever your reasons might have been for dropping out, you're not alone. The thing is, a lot of those people who initially dropped out are now going back to finish. Why? Because it's the right thing to do. Because it's a chance at a better life. And because it's never been easier to finish your GED.

With a virtual high school, you can get your GED online. You don't need to worry about not having time because it works according to your schedule.

You have a wider selection of classes to choose from so it can be interesting. You don't have to worry about being overlooked because your learning is geared directly towards you. There are many reasons why someone might have dropped out of high school. There is no reason why they can't finish it now.

Excel High School: http://www.excelhighschool.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jordan_W_Valley
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Do-People-Drop-Out-of-High-School?&id=7349068