Statistics on the Fate of High-School Dropouts

            In this New York Times article, Sam Dillon reports on a Northeastern University study that used census and other government data to conclude that 9.4 percent of young male high-school dropouts are in jail or juvenile detention, compared to 2.8 percent of young high-school graduates and 0.2 percent of college graduates under 25. The situation is worst for young African-American male dropouts: 22.9 percent are incarcerated or otherwise institutionalized on an average day, compared to 7.2 percent of Asian dropouts, 6.6 percent of white dropouts, and 6.1 percent of Hispanic dropouts. The study estimates that the total lifetime cost to the nation of each high-school dropout is $292,000 in lost tax revenues, food stamps and other aid, and incarceration for those who turn to crime. "This report makes it clear that every American pays a cost when a young person leaves school without a diploma," says Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League.

"Study Finds That About 10 Percent of Young Male Dropouts Are in Jail or Detention" by Sam Dillon in the New York Times, Oct. 9, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/education/09dropout.html?scp=1&sq=Study%20finds%20that%20about%2010%20percent%20of%20young%20male%20dropouts&st=cse