Trends in State Dropout Rates
By Grade Level: Figure 2
Figure 2 shows the percentage of dropouts by grade, from the 1987-88
school year to the 1994-95 school year. While students in the 9th grade
have consistently represented the highest percentage of total dropouts,
students in the 12th grade have steadily increased as a percentage of total
dropouts. In 1987-88, students in the 12th grade represented almost 12 percent
of all dropouts, while in 1993-94 they represented almost 20 percent. In
1994-95, the percentage of dropouts who are in the 12th grade appears to
be declining. However, recall that the recovery process eliminates students
from the calculation of the dropout rate if they failed exit-level TAAS,
but met all other graduation requirements. This recovery reason reduces
the number of 12th grade dropouts reported by 25 percent. The greatest decline
in number of dropouts continues to be in the 7th and 8th grades.
Return to Dropout Report's Table of
Contents