How can you drop out of high school

And the paths to success are just as varied as the people on this planet. No two are ever truly identical. You don't have to follow the crowd in order to have a satisfying journey. Even so, it helps to know where the potential pitfalls are. And it helps even more to know the strategies that other people have used. That's because, before you arrive at a brighter future, you first have to overcome what's holding you back.

Think about it: By saying, "I want to drop out of high school," you might be admitting that you feel trapped from moving forward—from being who you really are. And that's understandable. You probably have good reasons for feeling that way. So take heart. Succeeding as a high school dropout is totally possible. And it's never too late to pursue better opportunities, even if you dropped out a long time ago. This article will give you a better understanding of the issue.

And it will even help you learn how to drop out of school without giving up on going to college or getting career training. Check out the following sections:. According to Pew Research Center , America's high school dropout rate hit a record low in Only six percent of people between the ages of 18 and 24 had dropped out.

That resulted in a high school graduation rate of However, high school dropout rates, by state, can vary quite a bit. So high school dropout rates are not increasing. It seems that fewer and fewer high school students are deciding to drop out. And the number of schools that are considered "dropout factories" is also decreasing.

In fact, according to America's Promise Alliance , large high schools with graduation rates of 67 percent or below declined in number by about 40 percent from to Every dropout has his or her own reasons for leaving school. But those reasons often stem from experiences that are common to many other students. Other factors that are often at play include:. Some students also feel discouraged or intimidated by the culture of standardized testing and the pressure to become college- and career-ready.

Of course, even some post-secondary students consider dropping out of college , sometimes for similar reasons as those above. What's clear is that almost nobody just suddenly decides to become a dropout. For many people who leave school, dropping out is the final result of feeling hopeless or disengaged over a long period of time. That's why a lot of school districts have dropout prevention programs aimed at helping teachers and administrators discover and assist students who are at the greatest risk of leaving school.

They consider factors such as:. In fact, some of the most successful people in the world never graduated from high school. And for every famous dropout, many other dropouts exist who quietly lead prosperous and fulfilling lives.

Some of the most well-known high school dropouts include:. Contrary to what some people mistakenly believe, Microsoft's most famous cofounder did graduate from high school. However, Bill Gates is not a college graduate. He dropped out of Harvard. But he has received many special honors throughout the years.

As a result, Bill Gates does have a college degree. In fact, he has several honorary doctorate degrees from various universities around the world, including Harvard. The bottom line is that you don't need your high school diploma to make it in life, but your path could be a lot more challenging if you don't have it. With a clear vision of what you want, almost anything is possible. But it generally takes a lot of drive, courage, skill, effort, and luck in order to attain such high levels of success.

And not every high school dropout is so fortunate. The consequences of dropping out of high school are that you will be more likely to become a prison inmate or the victim of a crime. Simply put, a lot of bad stuff potentially happens if you drop out. Those consequences aren't guaranteed by any means.

But you'll be at greater risk of experiencing them. Consider these facts:. So if you want to minimize your risk of experiencing negative consequences, then it is important to have a high school diploma or an equivalent credential like a GED. Few people would ever recommend making this decision. And that includes people who have already dropped out.

That says a lot. But you don't need a lecture. You have your own reasons for considering this path. And maybe you've already pursued it and just need some extra guidance to help you move forward from where you are right now.

So how do you drop out of high school without messing up your future? Great question. No single formula exists that will work for everyone. However, a high school dropout can be successful by taking some of the seven actions below.

These steps could go a long way toward keeping you out of trouble while steering you closer to success. Every state in America has mandatory schooling. It is against the law for a child not to go to school. If you don't attend a public, private, or parochial school, you must be homeschooled in accordance with your state's laws. So, at what age can you drop out of school without parental consent? Depending on the particular state, all students are legally required to stay in school until reaching the age of 16, 17, 18, or 19 if they don't graduate first.

That means you cannot drop out of middle school. It also means that it's essential to know the legal age to drop out of school in your state. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , as of Keep in mind that the rules for dropping out aren't always as straightforward as reaching a certain age. For example, you can drop out of school at 16 in New York, but only if the board of education for your school district doesn't have additional requirements. In some districts, you may be required to stay in school until the last day of the academic year in which you become the legal age to drop out.

Despite these requirements, most states will allow students to drop out before reaching the legal age as long as they have their parents' consent. However, some states also require approval from school officials, which can be difficult to attain.

And in a few states, you might have to pass a GED exam or other high school equivalency test. Simply put, you can drop out of high school if you meet the requirements of both your state and school district. What are the consequences of dropping out before you reach the legal age?

If you don't have state authorization to stop attending school, you might be cited for truancy. The report describes the project and discusses the factors, such as grades and attendance, that are identified as predictive of high-risk students.

The findings debunk some of the commonly held myths about why students decide to drop out of school. For example, a majority of the young people who were interviewed had at least a C average when they dropped out, and 47 percent reported that they dropped out because school was not interesting.

Embedded in these insights are useful strategies for addressing the crisis. These schools are open to students at all levels of academic achievement, located in disadvantaged communities, and emphasize strong relationships between students and faculty.

Drawing on drop-out crisis research at the national level, as well as author Robert Balfanz's decade-long experience working with middle and high schools that serve low-income students, this report provides a unique guide to tackling the issue locally.

It begins with strategies for developing a deep understanding of local needs and then guides readers step by step through the creation of a comprehensive plan to assist students inside and outside of school. It is still grim, but getting less so: For instance, the number of high schools that qualify as "dropout factories" schools that graduate 60 percent or less of their students has declined from 2, in to 1, in The report compares current data with national goals and explores best practices through several in-depth case studies of struggling school districts.

Another report from Civic Enterprises and The Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, published in November , asks how effective early intervention can be to prevent dropouts and build graduation rates. Early Warning Indicator and Intervention Systems EWS represent a collaborative approach by educators, administrators, parents, and communities to identify and support students at risk of not graduating.

The report investigates the most successful EWS through case studies in eastern Missouri, Chicago, and Philadelphia, among others. We begin with steps to connect students and parents to school and then address structural, programmatic, and funding changes: 1. Engage and Partner with Parents It's an all-too-familiar story: Parent involvement declines as students get older and become more independent. Cultivate Relationships A concerned teacher or trusted adult can make the difference between a student staying in school or dropping out.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs Project U-Turn , a collaboration among foundations, parents, young people, and youth-serving organizations such as the school district and city agencies in Philadelphia, grew out of research that analyzed a variety of data sources in order to develop a clear picture of the nature of Philadelphia's dropout problem, get a deeper understanding of which students were most likely to drop out, and identify the early-warning signs that should alert teachers, school staff, and parents to the need for interventions.

Make Learning Relevant Boredom and disengagement are two key reasons students stop attending class and wind up dropping out of school. Raise the Academic Bar Increased rigor doesn't have to mean increased dropout rates. Think Small For too many students, large comprehensive high schools are a place to get lost rather than to thrive.

Rethink Schedules For some students, the demands of a job or family responsibilities make it impossible to attend school during the traditional bell schedule. Adopt a Student-Centered Funding Model Research shows that it costs more to educate some students, including students living in poverty, English-language learners, and students with disabilities. Roberta Furger is a contributing writer for Edutopia. Back to Top Retention Research: Studies About Keeping Kids in School The following reports provide valuable insight into the causes of and solutions for the dropout crisis plaguing many of our schools and communities:.

Another benefit of an apprenticeship or traineeship is that you actually get paid while you learn. This is huge, especially considering that university students finish their degrees with tens of thousands of dollars of debt. Tradies earn tens of thousands of dollars while they get qualified. To apply for an apprenticeship, check out the Housing Industry Association HIA — they have apprenticeship opportunities all over the country. Completing an internship is another good option.

So basically, an internship is a set period of hands on work experience where you set out to learn certain skills.

With student mental health issues on the rise across all colleges, it is vitally important for colleges to step up their services. In addition to providing counselors and exercise facilities, some colleges are developing peer-support programs, providing therapy dogs during stressful times and connecting students with Therapy Assistance Online programs.

Rather than letting students with extenuating family circumstances slip away, colleges must find ways to support them. If these institutions adequately convey the experience students can expect to have upon enrollment, the chances of the students becoming displeased and eventually dropping out are lessened. In addition to the list of actionable steps students can take for the specific issues reviewed in the previous section, here are some general tips to help students stay the course and graduate.

It may feel stressful at first, but chances are that person has an idea for how to help you. Research shows that diets high in trans fats and saturated fats can affect learning and memory in a negative way, while proper nutrition can improve cognition, concentration and energy levels. The Lumina Foundation offers this fascinating report on students who attend community colleges first versus those who move straight into four-year programs and the effects of each on dropout rates.

The Nonprofit Quarterly takes a look at how issues with income disparity create scenarios in which students are more likely to leave without their degrees. The National Dropout Prevention Center provides a range of strategies including early intervention, mentoring, after-school opportunities and more to help schools best care for at-risk learners. This study by BMC Public Health provides insight into how mental health issues left untreated contribute to higher dropout rates.

The U. Department of Education offers a range of resources and information about dropout prevention, with specific information for rural students. Explore these resources to help you make informed decisions and prepare for whatever is thrown your way.

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Connect with a community of peers, and find a program that will allow you to continue your education in a fast and flexible way. The number who left with no debt is unknown source Graduation of Latino students rose impressively between and , with the overall rate going up by 10 percent.

Still, these numbers lag behind white and Asian-American students source A study by the U.