The Dropout and Graduation Rate Debate

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The Dropout/Graduation Crisis Among American Indian and Alaska Native Students (2010) (Document)

This paper examines the graduation/dropout crisis among American Indian and Alaska Native students using data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Data from 2005 is drawn from the seven states with the highest percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students as well as five states in the Pacific and Northwestern regions of the United States.

Dropout Rates Are Higher Than You Think (Document)

“The Hidden Crisis in the High School Dropout Problems of Young Adults in the U.S.: Recent Trends in Overall School Dropout Rates and Gender Differences in Dropout Behavior,” Center for

Fact Sheet: Safe and Fair Schools (Document)

During the 2010-11 school year, the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) handed out nearly 18,000 short-term and long-term suspensions—in disproportionate number to minority students. Short-term and long-term suspensions accounted for more than 75,000 missed school days. Nearly one-third of students who received at least one suspension (31.3%) were students
with disabilities, even though they were only approximately 13% of the student population.

Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 1972–2008 (Document)

This report builds upon a series of National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports on high school dropout, completion, and graduation rates that began in 1988. The report includes discussions of many rates used to study how students complete or fail to complete high school.

Disagreement on the Definition of Dropout in Los Angeles (Document)

“The Vanishing Class: Back to Basics: Why Does High School Fail so Many?,” The Los Angeles Times, (January 29 - February 13, 2006).

Dropout Rates in the Ninth Grade are on the Rise (Document)

"Ninth-graders' camp aims to stem dropouts," The Sacramento Bee (August 6, 2006).

A Comparison of Dropout Surveys (Document)

“Get better high school graduation data,” Contra Costa Times (June 25, 2006)

Schools in New York City May Manipulate Dropout Statistics (Document)

“Labeling and Letting Go: An Organizational Analysis of How High School Students are Discharged as Dropouts,” Research in Sociology of Education and Socialization, Vol. 12, pgs.

How to Measure Dropouts Accurately to Facilitate Prevention and Intervention (Document)

“Essential Tools, Increasing Rates of School Completion: Moving From Policy and Research to Practice,” National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (May 2004).

The Problems of Rural Schools and Dropout (Document)

“Rural Students at Risk in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas,” Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (1995).

High Drop-Out Rate for Children In Group Homes (Document)

"Educating California's Foster Youth: The Policies, Procedures, and Practices Affecting the Education of Children Residing in Group Homes," American Institutes for Research (2002).