High School Dropout RateToday's graduation expectations for high school students are different than they were in the past. It is not uncommon to hear about a student who did not graduate. As shown in Table 1, 97 Stanly County students dropped out of school during the 2011-2012 school year (“School Dropout Numbers and Rates for Grades 7-13 (pdf.62 KB) "). Last school year, 3.01 percent of North Carolina high school students dropped out, according to the 2011-2012 Consolidated Data Report. Therefore, the total number of students who dropped out of high school during the year 2012 is 13,488. It is also noted that the top five reasons why students in North Carolina drop out are: 1. Attendance, 2. Enrolled in community college, 3. Unknown, 4. Moved, educational status unknown, 5. Lack of commitment. (“Dropout Prevention and Intervention”) This number is very high considering that there are only five large high schools in the Stanly County district. This is why I think it is important that something is done to reduce the high school dropout rate in Stanly County. those who leave high school and don't graduate find themselves facing more problems later in life. Some difficulties they may face are unemployment, poor health, reliance on drugs and alcohol, and living in poverty. High school students who drop out before graduating are more likely to drink, smoke, use illegal drugs, commit crimes and become teen parents. In North Carolina alone, approximately 53 teenagers are known to become pregnant every day. North Carolina reportedly has the 9th highest rate of teen pregnancy... middle of paper...... Admission Requirements » Nd Web K-12 Curriculum And Instruction/NC Standard Course Of Study March 21, 2014 “Economic News Release” April 17, 2013 Web Bureau of Labor Statistics March 21, 2014 “Dropout Prevention and Intervention” Nd Web Public Schools of North Carolina March 21, 2014 “North Carolina High School Dropout Rates” Nd Web an Econometric Analysis March 22, 2014 “National Center of Education Statistics » November 14, 2013 Web Virginia Performs March 22, 2014 “The NSDUH Report” February 12, 2013 Web Substance use among 12th grade youth by school dropout status March 22, 2014 “The Chronicle” January 7, 2014 Web The High Costs of a GED Diploma March 22, 2014 "NC Policy Watch" April 28, 2008 Web North Carolina Public Policy News and Commentary March 22, 2014 "Did You Know" Nd Web by 2018, 59 for One hundred of jobs in North Carolina will require at least some education beyond high school