Top Factors in School Dropouts

Dropout rates are an issue in many school districts across the nation, and at The American Academy, we’re here to help. We work with districts around the country to bring a new layer of opportunity to dropouts and other at-risk students, and allow many of them to graduate by taking high school classes online.

In most cases, we’re able to take students who have dropped out and get them re-enrolled in classes within a few days. We think everyone deserves a second chance, and we give it in a way that doesn’t impact funds for other programs or students.

What are some of the primary reasons students drop out? One is more of a social element, but the other two are areas parents and teachers can work to improve. Here are three key reasons.

Economic Status

Economic factors are the ones that are most outside a given student or parent’s control. Recent studies have found that students from lower socioeconomic statuses are more likely to drop out than students from a higher status background. They also found that students who work over 20 hours a week to help support their family have a higher risk of dropping out.

Parental Engagement

A factor that’s much more controllable is parental engagement. Research has stated that educational support – both financial and emotional – from parents is a big part of a child’s success in a given school program. If parents don’t hold high aspirations for educational success, the child will likely have more trouble seeing the purpose of staying in school and trying hard.

On the flip side, if parents are engaged early and often in a child’s education, the chances of success are much higher. Parental interest shows that education is important, and this subconscious message can mean a lot to many children and teens.

Academic Performance

Studies here have shown that the road to academic success begins early – school readiness and third-grade reading proficiency are both common indicators of future success. After third grade is when on-time students need to have finished learning how to read, so kids who have fallen behind here are often left in a bad spot while other kids move forward.

In addition, middle school success has shown high correlation with dropout rate. Children who can handle the transition from elementary school, where relationships with teachers and other students are very different, can be a litmus test for many kids. Success in middle school is a strong indicator for lowering dropout rate in high school.

Want to learn more about how we help get dropouts reintegrated, or interested in any of our online classes and credits? Speak to the educators at The American Academy today.