Indicator: 30 - High School Drop-outs

Why This Is Important

High school dropouts have lower earnings, experience more unemployment, and are more likely to end up on welfare and/or in prison than their peers who complete high school or college. Women who drop out of high school are more likely to become pregnant and give birth at a young age, and are more likely to become single parents.

Where We Stand

For the 1999-2000 school year, slightly over 3% of all public school students enrolled in grades 9-12 dropped out of school before graduation or completion of a program of studies. Maine consistently ranks among the top ten states in the country in high school completion and low drop-out rates. There has been little movement on this indicator over time.

Data Sources and Context

The source for these data is the Maine Department of Education; figures are available on-line for the state, counties and individual schools at http://www.state.me.us/education/enroll/dropouts/drop.htm. A high school dropout is defined as any person who has withdrawn or been expelled from high school before graduation or completion of a program of studies, and who has not enrolled in another educational institution or program. Each local educational unit submits dropout reports to the Department of Education as of the last day of school, counting all students who dropped out during the previous calendar year. The rate is calculated as a percent of all students enrolled in grades 9-12 during the school year.