With some famous personalities like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg dropping out of their schools, it may not be surprising if you hear that your child wants to do it too. Every year around 1.2 million kids drop out of school in the US (1). Although children discontinue schooling for various reasons, it is not the right practice as it could impact their future and overall development. Moreover, it is worrisome for parents to hear about their children discontinuing schooling. If you wonder about the possible reasons for kids abandoning their education and some effective ways to prevent this crisis, reading this post could help you.
Why Do Kids Drop Out Of School?
Dr. Katherine Grill, a behavioral neuroscientist from San Francisco Bay Area, says, “The risk factors for dropping out of school may include having a mental health condition (students are half as likely to graduate), having a disability (36% drop out rate), absenteeism, poor grades, and poor exam performance.” Some of the most probable reasons why children drop out of school are as follows:
1. Bad Influence:
Bad influence on children is the most common reason for kids dropping out of school. Early or unlimited exposure to alcohol, drugs, internet, and television can distract children from pursuing academics and initiate them into antisocial activities instead.
2. Academic Difficulty:
Inability to cope with the academic pressure is another reason for kids to opt out of school. Studies prove that kids who do not read proficiently by fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. Studies also reinstate the fact that students who fail in math and English in the eighth grade are 75% more likely to drop out of high school.
3. Family And Socio-Economic Needs:
Research reveals that students belonging to low-income groups are more likely to drop out of school. They may have to work to support their family. Some children may need to stay back at home to take care of their siblings while the parents go out to work. Divorce or separation of parents also affects the education of children adversely. The graph interprets the school dropout rates of 16- to 24-year-olds varied by race/ethnicity as recorded between 2010 to 2020. According to the data, the average dropout rates decreased in 2020 compared to 2010 (4). A major difference was witnessed in the Hispanic population followed by the Black population.
Dropout rates of 16- to 24-year-olds in the US, by race/ethnicity
4. Poor Health:
The health of a child greatly affects his learning ability and performance at school. Illnesses that occur during childhood and continue life long may curb a child’s ability to complete school.
5. Retention:
Retention has a negative impact on the self-esteem of children. They feel bad being older than their classmates and tend to drop out of school.
6. Disengagement:
Many kids find school boring. According to a study, almost 71% of students become disinterested in high school while they are in the 9th and 10th grades. They prefer to go late to school, skip classes and take long lunch breaks. The lack of interest often leads to dropping out of school. Some students find it difficult to connect with the teacher. A majority of students did not feel their teachers motivated them enough to work hard.
7. Transition:
Studies indicate that a transition from the cohesive environment of middle school to the anonymity of high school may take a toll on the academic interest of students. The relationship with the teachers is not as strong as it was in middle school. It may demotivate students and make them lose interest in studies.
How To Prevent Your Child From Dropping Out Of School?
You can easily prevent children from dropping out of high school or college by following some simple tips.
1.Get Involved:
As parents, your involvement is a major factor that motivates your child to succeed at school. Keep a track of how your child is progressing academically, so that you can help him improve his grades.
2. Have Realistic Expectations:
Encourage and motivate your child to perform well in school. However, do not have unrealistic expectations from your child. It may cause undue stress to your child and lead to disastrous academic performance.
What types of intervention programs are effective in preventing student dropout?
Dr. Grill suggests intervention programs such as mental health programs, especially if they are preventative. “Preventative programs support students through education, skill building, and stigma reduction approaches.”
