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Dropping Out of High School: Definitions and Costs


File number :
IST-DSC-04e

Bibliographic reference :
Government of Canada, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSD), Applied Research Branch (2000). Dropping Out of High School: Definitions and Costs, October 2000. [On line]. <http://www.rhdcc.gc.ca/fr/accueil.shtml>

Abstract :

Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) is a department responsible for providing all Canadians with the tools that they need to develop and thrive in their work environment and in their community. HRDC is working towards the development of both human capital and the labour market.

The paper entitled Dropping Out of High School: Definitions and Costs paints a realistic and detailed picture of the dropout situation in Canada. First, some clarifications and nuances are provided regarding the school dropout concept. The paper states that the “dropout rate refers to the proportion of dropouts in a specified group at a given point in time”. In order to obtain a reliable and representative dropout rate, criteria that correspond to this purpose should be considered. For instance, this study focuses on the costs of dropping out of school. Given that in Canada in 1991, the dropout rate in twenty-year-olds was 18% and that in 1995, the dropout rate for the same youngsters but 24 years old at the time was 15%, it would be more appropriate to use the latter dropout rate to estimate the costs of dropping out in the long term.

In addition to these methodological aspects, the paper provides a description of who the dropouts were. One of the characteristics of Canadian dropouts was their very low literacy levels compared with dropouts in other OECD countries. Therefore, it is important to intervene at this level since reading difficulties are related to academic delays.

This paper clearly demonstrates the individual and public costs resulting from dropping out of school. Cost estimates have revealed that those who obtained a high school diploma earned an income 40% higher than those who left school in grade 10.

Finally, several intervention initiatives designed to counter this phenomenon were explored, such as improving literacy and special education. However, the paper stresses that prior to implementing any new policies, their application method and their cost should be assessed.



Links :
http://www.rhdcc.gc.ca/fr/accueil.shtml

Key Words :
OECD, School Dropout Costs, Gender, Unemployment, International Comparisons, Interprovincial Comparisons, Socioeconomic Environment, School Failure, Attitude towards School, Labour Market, School Leaving, Methodology

Monitored Countries :
Canada