A dropout is a student who leaves school before finishing. The term covers high school and college. It is not a single event. Students drop out for many reasons: failing grades, family responsibilities, health problems, bullying, or the need to work. Some leave quietly. Others are pushed out by disciplinary policies.

The consequences are serious. High school dropouts earn less over a lifetime and face higher unemployment. They are more likely to be incarcerated. The gap between graduates and dropouts has widened as the economy shifted toward jobs that require credentials.

Schools track dropout rates to identify problems. Programs that help include mentoring, alternative scheduling, and career-technical pathways. The most effective interventions catch students before they disengage, not after they stop showing up.

Common risk factors

• Chronic absenteeism
• Failing core courses
• Family instability or poverty
• Disengagement from school life
• Health or mental health issues