Report shows negative effects of dropouts on economy

A study by the Alliance for Excellent Education indicates the sobering impact high school dropouts have on the national and state economy.

On a national scale, if high school students who dropped out in 2009 had graduated, the economy would have benefited from nearly

$335 billion in additional income during the course of their lifetimes, according to the study.

If the dropouts in Alabama's class of 2009 had graduated, it is estimated that the state's economy would have had another $6.5 billion in additional income during the course of the students' lifetimes.

The figures were calculated by using state graduation rate estimates developed by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center and were multiplied by $260,000 - the estimated lifetime earnings difference between a high school dropout and a graduate.

"These findings show that the best economic stimulus is a high school diploma," stated Bob Wise, the Washington, D.C.-based group's president, in a press release.

He added that it is imperative that the states, as well as the federal government, focus attention on students most at risk of dropping out if long-term economic stability is to be achieved.

Local educators wholeheartedly agree.

The average annual income for a high school dropout in 2005 was $17,299, compared to $26,933 for a high school graduate.

Nationwide, more than 7,000 students become dropouts every school day. Annually, that adds up to almost 1.3 million students who will not graduate from high school on schedule.

In Alabama alone, an estimated 25,136 students from the class of 2009 failed to graduate on time.

"The state has a 40 percent dropout rate, which is absolutely unacceptable," said Gary Dan Williams, Muscle Shoals Center for Technology director. "It's everyone's problem, but with the standards in Alabama, the curriculum is designed strictly for college-bound students, and the bottom line is that many students aren't college-bound. The graduation standards are among the highest in the country, but we're letting those kids who can't handle the pressure get down about school and they're dropping out.

"We've got to expand our focus, and I firmly believe a stronger emphasis on all aspects of career technical education will do wonders for the dropout rate. Just in our own school system, we've seen what it's done for students," he said.

According to Williams, out of every 100 students, an average of 13 obtain a four-year degree.

"Do we need more students getting those four-year degrees? Absolutely. But at the same time, we've got to realize we're living in a society that demands that the trades (jobs) be filled with expertise," he said.

Wise, in the press release, states that unless America's high schools improve their graduation rates significantly, nearly 13 million students will drop out during the next decade. The loss to the national economy at that point will be to the tune of $3 trillion.

Williams said the numbers aren't surprising and, in fact, support what he has always believed to be true: Raising academic standards alone isn't working.

One of Williams' former students, Karson Cupp, works in a carpenters' union at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. He completed a two-year program in carpentry at Northwest-Shoals Community College and earned a top four ranking nationally in his field. He's quick to point out that career technical education kept him from becoming a statistic.

"Had it not been for the carpentry program in high school, I don't know if I would have gotten a diploma," he said, adding that his passion and focus for his trade drove him to complete his academic work.

The report notes all of society benefits from increased high school graduation rates. Graduates, on average, will earn higher wages and enjoy a more comfortable and secure lifestyle. They live longer, are less likely to be teen parents and are less likely to commit crimes, rely on government health care or use public services such as food stamps or housing assistance.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or at lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.