According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, high school dropouts earn an average of $9,634 less every year than do those who earned their diplomas. Extending this financial disparity into the future, the group estimates that the dropouts from the class of 2008 alone will deprive the U.S. economy of $319 billion in income throughout their lifetimes.
The authors of the organization's June 2008 "Issue Brief" on this topic indicate that graduating from high school is good for both student and society:
Everyone benefits from increased graduation rates. The graduates themselves, on average, will earn higher wages and enjoy more comfortable and secure lifestyles. At the same time, the nation benefits from their increased purchasing power, collects higher tax receipts, and sees higher levels of worker productivity.The AEE's website states that the organization's mission is "to promote high school transformation to make it possible for every child to graduate prepared for postsecondary education and success in life." The group focuses its efforts on the low-achieving students who are most likely either to drop out or to graduate from high school without mastering the skills necessary to pursue a productive future.
Labels: grades, future, dropouts
Posted By: Aspen Education Group