What are the predictors and consequences of dropping out of college during the time frame of 18-24 years of age and it's overall impact on their development?

 

What are the predictors and consequences of dropping out of college during the time frame of 18-24 years of age and its overall impact on their development?

• High school students and college students drop-out of school for many reasons, but a few core problems can be the catalyst behind their decision. Students who don't complete high school are usually eligible to take GED tests. According to Georgetown University's "The College Payoff," high school dropouts have average lifetime earnings of $973,000, high school graduates $1.3 million and college graduates with bachelor's degrees around $2.3 million. Dropping out is a personal decision, but many students feel like it's the best option if they have personal or academic problems that make school attendance a burdensome responsibility.

Predictors

Pregnancy and Parenthood

• Teen pregnancy can pose concerns for students trying to complete high school academic requirements. Nearly one-third of teen girls who drop out of high school state early pregnancy and parenthood as keys reason for their decision, according to TheNationalCampaign.org. Pregnant teens may feel embarrassed about going back to school, struggle with morning sickness or fatigue, and have difficulty keeping up with their classwork. Taking care of a baby is time-consuming, so many may not have the energy to complete high school. Pregnancy also affects college students, but with the availability of online courses and the maturity that comes with adulthood, college-age women often have the opportunity to complete college coursework.

Boredom

• Students often drop out of high school and college due to apathy or boredom. High school students often report that academic content isn't interesting and they don't have a personal connection with their teachers, according to an article in "Psychology Today." High school dropouts and college students may have other alternatives that seem more appealing, such as getting a job or starting a career. High school students who aren't interested in going to college may not see the value of a high school education. Boredom is a problem that must be addressed by students, parents, school faculty and education boards to see if better course offerings and more student-teacher interactions would help.

Academic Struggles

• High school and college students often drop out because they struggle academically and don't think they'll have the GPA or credits necessary to graduate. Some high school students don't want to risk failing, which could mean summer school or another year of high school. College students' academic problems often lead to a loss of scholarships or grants and may result in having to repeat classes to earn needed credits.

Lack of Parental Support

• The lack of parental involvement is a problem that often leads to higher dropout rates, especially with high school students. Parents play an important role when it comes to high school attendance. High school dropouts often have parents who weren't engaged or concerned with their academic success. If a parent doesn't encourage her child to stay in school, show interest in classes and teachers, communicate with administration, or pay attention to homework assignments, the child might not see any reason to follow through with the coursework. When parents don't prioritize their child's high school education, the child may choose to drop out, according to an article on the United Way website.

Money

• Some high school students and college students drop out because they want to work to earn money. They may need money to finance a car, pay for auto insurance, buy clothes or electronics, pay for housing or support unhealthy addictions. Most high school and college students don't have the time and energy to go to school all day, complete homework assignments and still work enough hours to support lofty expenses. Dropouts who are concerned about their immediate, short-term financial situation may see a full-time job as the best way to maintain the lifestyle they desire.

Failure to Succeed

• Student frustration and failure contribute to a low graduation rate. Some students may struggle academically and do not advance once in high school because of failed classes. The failure may be a result of an undiagnosed or diagnosed learning disability, apathy or lack of strong academic potential. After repeated failure, these students give up and drop out -- especially if their peers have moved on to the next grade or to graduation.

Consequences

Wasted Investment

• College is an investment. Students either pay for college themselves, possibly with family support or scholarships, or use financial aid. A February 2013 article in "The Wall Street Journal" indicated that many students drop out sometime during college because they can't or don't want to take on any more student loan debt. The consequence of dropping out at this point is that you have already piled up sizable debt and loan payments that you have to begin paying back several months after you quit school. Yet, you don't get the payoff of a degree.

Family Conflict

• Some students attend college under pressure from parents or to make their parents happy. The decision to dropout in these cases is not always warmly received. In fact, some students are told that they can't return home after dropping out. The expectation is that they will get a job and enter the "real world." Dropping out may negatively affect relationships with significant others, as well. An April 2012 study by the "Council on Contemporary Families" revealed that divorce rates were significantly lower for college graduates than for those without college degrees.

Limited Career Options

• According to a November 2012 article in "The Wall Street Journal," college dropouts face more limited career options than graduated peers. A bachelor's degree commonly opens the door to entry-level positions in many industries and career fields. As a dropout, your access to many jobs that require a college degree is limited. When applying, it is difficult to compete for jobs against people who hold degrees, even when a degree is not required.

Lower Earning Potential

• In addition to any debt you must repay, your earning potential without a degree is much lower relative to degree holders, according to the "Wall Street Journal" article. Thus, many college dropouts struggle to cover short-term bills and expenses, and find it difficult even to consider saving up money for a home. According to 2012 US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, a college dropout earned about seven percent less than someone with an associate's degree, and about 32 percent less than someone with a bachelor's.

Overall impact on their development

• Dropping out of school impacts student's self esteem and psychological well-being, faced with the reality that they lack skills and knowledge to fulfill their desires.
• Dropouts are substantially more likely to rely on public welfare and health services.
• Dropouts are 3.5 times more likely than high school graduates to be incarcerated during their lifetime.
• Ninety % of the 11,000 youth in detention facilities have no more than a 9th grade education.
• Dropouts cost the U.S. more than $260 billion in lost wages, tax revenue, and productivity over their life times.