How Dropping Out Leads to Lost Economic Potential
Investing in Education
It’s not just kids, parents, and teachers who feel the impact of our public schools. If you’re a citizen of Delaware, then you are—in one way or another—affected by our state’s education system. Check back regularly as we take a closer look at how When Students Succeed, We All Win.
The lost economic potential of high school dropouts is no joke for Delaware’s economy.
Typically, high school dropouts earn $8,000 less annually, compared to high school graduates. In Delaware, high school dropouts are twice as likely as high school graduates and six times as likely as college graduates to live in poverty.
Why are students dropping out?
In a national study published by Clemson University’s National Dropout Prevention Center, students cite the following as some of the most common reasons why they drop out of high school:
- Missed too many school days (43.5%)
- Was getting poor grades/failing school (38%)
- Did not like school (36.6%)
- Could not keep up with schoolwork (32.1%)
- Did not feel belonged there (19.9%)
How Personalized Learning Can Help
- A personalized setting seeks to prevent these types of issues by addressing the underlying causes of student disengagement and preventing academic gaps from occurring in the first place. Students become the center of the learning environment, and students and teachers work together towards students’ learning goals.
- Addressing students’ individual needs and building on students’ strengths and interests boosts student engagement. This helps prevent absenteeism and increases feelings of belonging and investment in school—ultimately putting students in the driver’s seat.
Resources to learn more:
- Find more on personalized learning and how it can change Delaware’s education system from the Rodel Teacher Council Blueprint for Personalized Learning
- Read this Rodel Teacher Council Policy Brief on the role of educators in a personalized learning model.
- Check out this video on how personalized learning transformed education in the Lindsay Unified School District.