Indicator: 30 - High School Drop-Outs

Why This Is Important

High school drop-outs 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 2000-2001 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.maine.gov/education/enroll/dropouts/drop.htm.

A high school drop-out is defined as any person who has withdrawn or been expelled from high school before graduation or completion of a program of studies, and who has not enrolled in another educational institution or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 drop-out 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.