More than 800 fewer students dropped out of state high schools in 2010 than in the previous year, according to a new report from the South Carolina Department of Education.
The decrease during 2009-10 was the second consecutive year of improvement in reducing dropout numbers. Since 2007-08, the state’s total high school dropouts have decreased from 8,032 to 6,265 – a 22 percent improvement.
Zais said improved dropout rates are a critical step toward improved on-time high school graduation rates, which he views as a key measurement of success for the entire K-12 system.
“We have to make certain that kids stay focused and engaged from the first day of kindergarten through high school graduation,” Zais said.
“Students must have basic reading skills by third grade to successfully complete high school. Offering parents a full menu of schools to choose for their students will enable them to find the best fit their learning styles. Technology allows schools to deliver customized learning experiences rather than one-size-fits-all instruction to every student.
“There is no silver bullet to magically improve high school graduation rates, but by focusing on the needs of students, we can and will make progress.”
The 2010 dropout report found improvements in all demographic groups.Included were a decrease in African-American dropouts from 3,579 in 2007-08 to 2,724 in 2009-10 and a decrease in dropouts from high-poverty families from 4,451 in 2007-08 to 3,768 in 2009-10. Hispanic dropouts decreased from 399 in 2007-08 to 322 in 2009-10.
Looking at specific grades, the best progress in reducing dropouts occurred among 9th-graders, with 2,342 9th-graders dropping out in 2007-08 compared to 1,691 9th-graders dropping out in 2009-10.
Ninth-graders made up 29 percent of total high school dropouts in 2007-08, but 27 percent last year.
