District Trivia Question and Answer:
Question:
BHS' drop out rate for 2004 was 4.9% - lower than the national average. What was the school's drop out rate in 1961?

Answer:

a) 4.2%
b) 10.9%
c) 19.7%
d) 24.3%

Myth: The high school dropout rate is climbing.

Fact: The high school dropout rate is falling.

Statistics by the U.S. Census show that the high school graduation rate has been increasing for many decades now, and for all sub-groups of the population.


According to a newsletter published by our district in 1961, 33% of the nation's high school students dropped out, compared to BHS' rate of 19.7%.

Even though our stats were significantly below the national average, district officials reviewed school records and recorded the reasons given by students for dropping out:

In 1961:

38% dropped out to work;

13% dropped out to enter the armed forces;

34% dropped out to marry; and

15% dropped out because they had no interest in school

The district also stated that, "Although these replies were given, there are undoubtedly many underlying factors that have made these students decide to leave school. Persons who have studied many cases feel that behind the unsuccessful school experience lies the failure of the home to provide love, affection, understanding and the material and emotional security that are so essential to the normal development of young people."