How to Prevent Students From Dropping Out

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on October 17, 2023

When high school and college students leave school without diplomas or degrees, it becomes harder for them to earn substantial salaries, live healthful lives and open doors of opportunity. While dropout rates among some student populations fell over the last decade, every year, millions of learners don’t finish their programs of study. The following guide examines why students drop out, what can be done to support them and where helpful resources can be found.

How Many Students Drop Out

Student dropout is a significant concern throughout America at both the high school and college levels due to numerous factors. These statistics demonstrate the current landscape of student dropout rates.

According to expert Jason Patel, low-income students in particular struggle with staying in school. “These students start two steps behind everyone else, with fewer resources, fewer comforts and fewer opportunities to focus solely on academics and having fun,” says Patel. “We need to control costs of education or give these students an alternative way to compete for jobs in the economy of the future.”

How to Keep Students from Dropping Out

After recognizing the issues facing students at risk of dropping out, the inevitable question becomes, what can be done to keep them in school? The following section takes a look at some concrete steps parents, schools and even students can take to stay the course and graduate from high school or college.


Why Students Drop Out

High school and college students drop out of school for a variety of reasons. Some learners may feel they are too far behind academically to catch up, while others may have problems at home. Whatever the reason, many support systems exist to help students stay in school and earn diplomas or degrees.

Resources