High School Dropout Rates
Public High School Dropout Rate
What is it?
The Florida Department of Education defines the dropout rate as:
“The percentage calculated by dividing (a) the number of students in grades 9-12 for whom a dropout withdrawal reason was reported by (b) the year's total enrollment for grades 9-12.”
Unlike the graduation rate, which is a four-year cohort-based indicator, the dropout rate is a single-year indicator.
Why is it important?
High school dropouts are more likely to be unemployed than high school graduates and, even when employed, are more likely to earn less than those receiving diplomas. Also, dropouts are more likely to live in poverty, become teen parents, receive government assistance and become involved in crime than students who complete high school.
How are we doing?
Pinellas County’s high school dropout rate has improved dramatically over the past seven years. In the 2008-2009 school-year the dropout rate was 2.1%, the same as the previous year and 0.2 points below the state average.
Dropout rates for black non-Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) and Hispanic students are substantially higher than other racial/ethnic groups.
How do we compare to other Florida counties?
A comparison of Pinellas’ dropout rate to the state average and other Florida counties of comparable size is shown below for the 2008-09 school year:
Read More About:
Reducing the High School Dropout Rate
The High Cost of High School Dropouts