Executive Summary and Preface
The total number of dropouts reported for the 1994-95 school year was 29,918.
This represents a decline of over 60,000 students from school year 1987-88.
The 1994-95 annual dropout rate is 1.8 percent. The estimated longitudinal
dropout rate of 10.6 percent increases slightly as it is projected over
the next six years. One of the objectives of public education is that, through
enhanced dropout prevention efforts, all students will remain in school
until they obtain a high school diploma (TEC Section 4.001). The target
set in law is to reduce the annual and longitudinal dropout rates to 5 percent
or less by the 1997-98 school year (TEC Section 39.182).
An examination of the characteristics of dropouts and their education programs
reveals that over 76 percent are overage for grade. Males drop out at slightly
higher rates than females, and Hispanics make up the greatest proportion
of dropouts. The largest number of dropouts and the largest dropout rate
is found at the ninth grade. Less than 50 percent of dropouts are identified
as at risk of dropping out of school the year they drop out. Some reasons
cited for dropouts leaving school include poor attendance, entering non-state-approved
GED programs, and pursuing a job.
Urban school districts with large student enrollments have the highest dropout
rates. Districts with lower student performance also reflect higher dropout
rates than high-performing districts. School districts that maintain above
average operating costs per pupil have lower dropout rates, although the
lowest spending districts do not have the highest dropout rates.
Preface
This report provides an annual update on dropout information for the
1994-95 school year. Included in the report are historical dropout information,
an analysis of dropout rates based on school district characteristics, and
dropout data for Texas school districts and campuses.
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