Reasons Why Kids Leave School Early

Every year, 1 million students drop out of high school, according to 2012 PBS report. In 2010, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 7 percent of all students left school early. A student might quit school based on a combination of personal circumstances. However, some trends emerge when educators study the reasons students leave, including behavioral issues, learning styles and family circumstances.

  1. Family Financial Issues

    • A study out of the University of Texas at Austin found that family income plays a major role in student retention. The university reported that students whose families were within the lowest 20 percent income range were six times more likely to drop out than students whose families were in the top 20 percent income range. Students might feel the need to work to help support the family. The Future of Children reports that students who work more than 20 hours a week are more likely to drop out.

    Teen Pregnancy

    • Becoming a parent pushes many students into dropping out. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 50 percent of teenage mothers end up completing their high school diploma by the time they are 22 years old. Even with a strong support system and government assistance, the pressures of raising a baby and balancing school work can be too much for many young women. Some might drop out of school with the intention to complete their education later.

    Student Disengagement

    • Some of the top reasons cited by research into why students leave school early is disengagement in the classroom. The California Dropout Research Project reports that students who consistently earn poor grades, who are held back a grade repeatedly, and who perform poorly in elementary and middle schools have a high risk of leaving school early. The University of Texas at Austin identified retention as a strong influence on the risk for dropping out. Students who are repeatedly held back become older than their classroom peers, which can negatively affect their self-esteem, peer relations and school engagement.

    Behavioral Issues

    • Some kids are disengaged from the learning process because of behavioral issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or defiance disorders. Some behavioral issues, including defiance disorders, can be the result of an unhealthful home life and can lead to students lashing out in the classroom. These behavioral issues can make it hard for students to maintain their grades and can result in a variety of disciplinary actions, including detention and suspension. Students can become frustrated and decide to leave school early.

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