Teen Drop Out

Many teen's drop out of high school every year, the average drop out rate in the United States is around 4%. The percentage seems low and is not of grave concern unless the drop out is your child. Some drop outs will go back later in life and complete their high school education. Other teen drop outs will complete a GED or General Educational Development that will enable them to gain employment more easily. Teen drop outs that don't complete their high school education will typically end up in lower paying jobs. There is also a stigma many teen drop outs carry with them. It may difficult to determine which is worse; the lack of the diploma or the low self esteem the drop out develops. It is amazing to see the transformation that takes place when a teen drop out completes their high school education. Many become happy and excited about life again.

Teen Drop out Prevention

Most school districts have programs in place to work with potential teen drop outs. Not only is it bad for the teen that drops out but the school district loses money and credibility when a teen drops out of school. Parents can also play an important role in teen drop out prevention. Parent should be totally involved in their teen's education process. A parent should see signs of discouragement in their child long before they begin thinking about dropping out of high school. Some parents find success with hiring a private tutor to help their teen stay on track. If the parent's are unable to financially swing the help of a private tutor there are online sites that can help and people in the school their child is attending.

Teen Drop out Economic Impact

Many teens don't realize the consequences they will face when they are weighing the decision of whether to drop out of school or not. In addition to the humility many teens will encounter they should also consider the financial loss they will suffer. The statistic surrounding a teen drop out vs. a high school graduates life time earnings are very convincing. For example "the average annual income for a high school dropout in 2005 was $17,299, compared to $26,933 for a high school graduate, a difference of $9,634 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2006). The impact on the country's economy is less visible, but it is nevertheless staggering."

Teen Drop out Summary

The teen drop out is a no win situation for everyone involved. Parents bare the ultimate responsibility for the teen drop out. While parents are unable to physically force a teen to school, they are required to see that the teen is educated. If a parent starts too late they will encounter much more difficulty than if they become involved when the child is very young and stay connected through their school experience.