ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the various criteria by which dropout rates are measured. It looks at the factors linked to high dropout rates and the characteristics of students who drop out of school. Students who completed high school with some credential other than a regular diploma can account for a sizable proportion of the high school completers. Some school districts, seeking additional educational services, carry phantom students on the school records even after they have dropped out. The success/failure rate of local schools helps determine the resale value of homes and is frequently used to influence businesses to move into an area. The Census Bureau counts as high school completers those who dropped out but passed a high school equivalency test. Poor academic performance linked to retention in one grade is the single strongest school-related predictor of dropping out. Poverty poses a serious challenge to children's access to quality learning opportunities and their potential to succeed in school.
