Causes of School Dropout- Reasons and Solutions

The causes of school dropout worldwide and their relevance highlight the need for a close study of its causes and consequences. The aim of the current study is to examine the causes of school dropout, and the underlying problems and offer solutions to these problems.

School dropout has been defined as leaving education without obtaining a minimal credential, most often a higher secondary education diploma.

The reasons people leave are as varied as the people themselves, and researchers differ in how they categorize them. But there are common threads and compelling reasons why people don’t complete their education on the traditional timeline. Here are four of the most pressing reasons

General causes of school dropout and effects

Academic Failure
Disengagement
Pregnancy
Financial Difficulties
Drug Use/Addiction
Disabilities
Mental Illness
To earn money

Academic Failure

Struggling in school daily is the biggest reason most students choose to drop out of high school.

A student may not have the necessary support at home or at school to help them achieve academic success. Maybe there is instability in their home life or no role model who exemplifies the benefits of completing high school.

If a young learner is already struggling in school, the lack of a support system can complicate their situation and increase their feelings of discouragement while undermining the value of education.

Disengagement

Often, students disengage from learning, feeling that their teachers do not care for the course material or understand how to connect it to real life. Students who are not involved with their school have a high chance of dropping out.

Pregnancy

Managing a healthy teen pregnancy while staying in school is extremely difficult. The high dropout trend of teen mothers comes down to a lack of support and child services that are offered. Additionally, these mothers need financial means to raise a child which can be difficult while going to school.

Financial Difficulties

According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, students with low family incomes have the highest dropout rates at 9.4%. This is because many times these children need to get a job rather than go to school so they can help to support their families.

Mental Illness

According to a Canadian study, those students with depression were twice as likely to drop out of high school. This is because their illness can affect their ability to learn and their engagement. These students also tend to go unnoticed because their condition might be chalked up to being a teenager.

Drug Use/Addiction

Drug use among teens is a big problem. As teens start using drugs or become addicted not only does their engagement worsen but they start to miss more school leading to them not coming at all.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities, whether they are physical or emotional, have a harder time in school. And it shows. Depending on their disability, it can not only be harder for them to maneuver around the school, but they can become isolated as well.

To earn money

A steady income can be a very powerful lure for a young person, especially when that person is from a low-income family and struggles to have their daily needs met. For many, a job seems more immediately useful than polynomials or Charles Dickens.

Particularly in the past when more jobs were available without a high school or GED credential, it was easier for a student to opt for money over a degree. Having an income also means that the young person can contribute to providing for their family — sometimes required for the family to be able to pay for necessities.

Here is the effect of dropping out of school

Negative effects of not completing high school can include higher unemployment rates, lower income levels, incarceration, and overall missed opportunities.

Unemployment: One way in which people are affected by their decision to drop out of high school is a greater chance of being unemployed. according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau also reported in March 2018 that the unemployment rate for those who merely completed high school was significantly lower than for those that didn’t complete high school.

Lower Income: When high school dropouts do find employment, they earn, on average, significantly less than those who completed high school.

Incarceration: Incarceration in some sort of correctional facility, such as a jail or juvenile detention center, is also a more likely scenario for high school dropouts.

Missed Opportunities: Another, less tangible consequence of dropping out of high school is missing all the different opportunities that come about as a result of finishing high school. High school is a good place to explore intellectual interests, play team sports and meet friends. By completing high school, students can also go on to a post-secondary school and further expand on those opportunities.

Why College students drop out of school

Bad Influence: Bad influence on children is the most common causes of school drop outs. Early or unlimited exposure to alcohol, drugs, the internet, and television can distract children from pursuing academics and initiate them into antisocial activities instead.

Academic Difficulty: The inability to cope with 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.

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.

Poor Health: The health of a child is one of the prominent causes of school dropout. the health of a child greatly affects his learning ability and performance at school. Illnesses that occur during childhood and continue lifelong may curb a child’s ability to complete school.

Retention: Retention hurts the self-esteem of children. They feel bad being older than their classmates and tend to drop out of school.

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. The lack of interest often leads to dropping out of school.
Unprepared for Academic Demands: Students having a hard time keeping up with their classes and understanding complex topics may be inclined to drop out. While some may do fine in high school, college is a whole other ballgame. If you’re lacking funding, see our article on the Best Student Loans Available

Top 10 reasons why students drop out of high school

#1. Financial Problems:

Financial constraints are one of the major causes of school dropout, when a student cannot meet up with the tuition fees, he/she tends to drop out

According to Times Higher Education, 1 out of 4 college students in Germany broke off their studies early due to either financial problems, poor student-professor relationships, or lack of motivation.

#2. Unpreparedness

Poor secondary school preparation is also one of the reasons why students drop out of college, even though colleges and universities are addressing student’s lack of readiness they inherit from high school in areas such as language and mathematics, there is a point where students cannot cope or handle the workload anymore and leave school.

#3. No guardian or individual attention

Not knowing where to go, and how to deal with problems can lead to most of the factors mentioned above, and ultimately down the road to a failed college experience.

#4. Failures

This is not about failing one class or two. Students feel overwhelmed when repeating foundation courses the following semester or year becomes a trend rather than an episode. To the overwhelming amount of piled-up work, students feel stressed and unmotivated for a series of additional reasons:

Some students feel that they are not up to the job ahead.
Others struggle with paying up for an extra year of school.
Many have strong feelings about their peers advancing over them.
They have a sense of hopelessness.

Students in this category may feel that while they like the major, the major is not suited for them.

#5. Poor student-teacher relationships

Certainly, this is another reason why students drop out of school. A high student: teacher ratio not only reduces the quality of education but provides a less nurturing, personalized learning experience. It demotivates students.

Many education experts agree that the student experience improves if teachers and authorities take a personalized approach.

#6. Unmotivating school environment

Some, of the causes of dropping out of college, are very plain: “boredom.” However, there is an underlying issue behind that lack of student engagement.

#7. Broken Relationships

Broken relationships are also another vital way why students drop out of colleges or universities.

Finding love at college is very common, but when love turns into loathing and heartbreak, it can easily take the student away from academics.

Also, The awkward passer-by on campus, the shared classes, the same grouping of friends, and the hurtful memories, can be enough to get at least one of the two packings.

#8. Life situations and other outside demands

Unfortunately, as life may dictate, there are unexpected life situations that can lead to why students dropping out of college or university, which can be serious. The student is forced to come home.

However, Illness or illness of a family member and financial limitations can all contribute to why a student may be forced to relinquish his or her college education for the time being.

Consequently, Drinking, staying up late, and blowing off classes to the point where the student is too far behind to make up for the slack can lead to expulsion, rescinding of the parent’s money flow, and/or a decision from the student to discontinue college.

#9: Lack of value

Feeling: “College isn’t for everyone, plus I can get a job without a degree.”

We’ve all heard the success stories of folks like Bill Gates, Ellen DeGeneres, and Mark Zuckerberg—they’re college dropouts who made it big. Their life stories can tempt you into thinking, “who needs college”?

these success stories are inspiring, the truth is they’re not the norm! Sure, it’s trendy to talk about the “decreasing value” of degrees. However, take a look at the following stats—they paint a much different picture:

In addition, 94% of America’s wealthiest and most influential leaders are college graduates. High school grads have triple the rates of unemployment as college grads.

Equally important, Degree holders earn about 1 million dollars more over their lifetime than those who didn’t attend college. On average, college grads earn $17,500 more each year than high school grads.

#10. 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 their studies.

Dropping out of school causes, consequences and solutions

a. Students can apply for grants and scholarships but in some cases that won’t help.

There are a lot of digital skills you can learn to earn passive income to put yourself through school and graduate without incurring huge debts. Affiliate marketing is one of the ways you can earn passive income without having to be distracted from your studies.

b. Speak to someone

When a life situation that is beyond your control happens, talk to the administration of the school, explain what is happening, and tell them you want to take a break.

C. Set Goals from Day 1 at school

I suggest having a mature, realistic expectation of what your first year of college will bring and persevering through it. Be responsible. Be an adult. Invest well in your future. Get a mentor you can be accountable to, get a role model, and learn their lifestyle from afar. You can write in the suggestion box and suggest your opinion.

D. Study Effectively

Don’t cram! Map out your study schedule so that you always have enough time to prepare.

Get good at taking notes. Practice taking good class notes or even carry a tape recorder if you have to. If you miss something, ask your lecturer or classmate for theirs to catch up. Our article on Study hacks will guide you on how to get started.

TEN REASONS NOT TO DROP OUT OF COLLEGE

#1. College is Fun

College means minimal responsibilities, a few lectures, interesting people to meet, a lot of good friends, and memories.

#2. Education is important:

The college trains you and imparts important skills and knowledge for the career you choose after this

#3. College makes you independent:

College is that time when naive young people learn to be adults in their own right. Living away from home and attending college can teach you a lot like making your own decisions,

#4. Think of college as a three-year holiday:

College is that time when you are relatively free of duties and responsibilities and old enough to enjoy before real life begins.

#5. Giving up is not an option:

College may seem tough and it will be tempting at times to give it all up and take a break, but that won’t solve anything. Instead, seek out help if you think things are getting too hard.

#6. Change your school instead:

Dropping out of school without a plan very rarely works out for anyone. If you find yourself not enjoying college, consider changing your college instead of dropping out and sitting at home.

#7. Change your subject:

If you feel that you do not enjoy or are not good at the subject you are majoring in, try to see if you can transfer to another subject.

#8. Who wants to live at home:

Do you want to live at home with your mom and dad always on your back, asking you to get your life together? I thought no.

#9. You are confused after school:

At the age of eighteen, most people do not have a clear idea of what they want to do in life. The logical thing to do is to get a good college, an education, training, and a job after that

#10. Society respects college education:

This means following certain norms and codes of conduct which include getting a good education

In conclusion, it is better to have your certificate and not need it than need it and not have it. Dropping out of college is not always an option regardless of the situation. Except death happens, every child has the right to formal education.

If you’re leaning towards quitting school, give yourself time to reflect a bit deeper on your feelings. There are short-term experiences that can help you find out your second thoughts. Do an internship or sign up for a few junior college courses. Take online courses to learn a skill, enroll in a trade school, or professional skills training and career networking program such as General Assembly.

With these alternative solutions to college, you’ll get a better feel for your goals, work toward reaching them, and ultimately decide if college is how you want to reach them.

See our article on the effective study tips that every student should adopt.

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Frequently asked questions on causes of school dropout

what causes students to dropout of college?

Financial problems

Life situations and other outside demands

Lack of value

Increasingly failing courses

Lack of interest and motivation

why is the college dropout rate so high?

College dropout rate statistics for 2021 show that the cost of studying is one of the main reasons students give up on college

why is the average college dropout rate in US

In the United States, the overall dropout rate for undergraduate college students is 40%.