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On the Social Costs of Dropping Out of School

NCJ Number
110301
Journal
High School Journal Dated: (October-November 1987) Pages: 19-30
Author(s)
J S Catterall
Date Published
1987
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article explores the social costs attributed to dropping out of high school by reviewing and updating the only comprehensive treatment of this topic to date: a 1972 study by Levin.
Abstract
Levin's study examined 25- to 34-year-old adult males in the United States, estimating lost economic activity attributable to the noncompletion of high school. Based on 1968 Census Bureau income profiles, the total loss of lifetime earnings was estimated to be $237.6 billion. No estimates were provided for women, but an estimate of half this cost is reasonable. Even though this critique and update of Levin's findings suggest a more conservative estimate of the costs of dropping out of high school, the costs of dropping out are discernible, substantial, and growing. In addition to substantial income losses, dropping out also contributes to additional welfare and unemployment compensation dependency, increased crime costs and criminal justice services, and more demands on health services. Clearly, the attention to and investment in addressing the problem is far below that warranted by the consequences of the problem. 4 tables and 15 references.

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