The Significance of the Dropout Crisis in the State of Florida
Dropouts and poorly prepared students negatively affect the economy:
- Nearly 90,500 students did not graduate from Florida’s high schools in 2010; the lost lifetime earnings in Florida for that class of dropouts alone total nearly $24 billion;
- Florida could save as much as $1.5 billion in health care costs over the lifetimes of each class of dropouts had they earned their diplomas;
- If Florida’s high schools graduated all of their students ready for college, the state could save as much as $194 million a year in community college remediation costs and lost earnings;
- Florida’s economy could see a combination of crime-related savings and additional revenue of about $507 million each year if the male high school graduation rate increased by just 5 percent.
High school and college completion rates need improvement:
| Florida High School Graduation Rates (Class of 2007) | ||
|---|---|---|
| State-Reported | U.S. Department of State-Reported | Independently Reported |
| 70% | 65% | 62% |
| Florida High School Graduation Rates by Race (Class of 2007) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Florida | Nation |
| All Students | 62% | 69% |
| White | 68% | 76% |
| Black | 51% | 51% |
| Hispanic | 58% | 55% |
| Asian | 83% | 79% |
| American Indian | 51% | 50% |
MORE >> Source: Florida High Schools – Alliance for Excellent Education (PDF)
