State’s High School Dropout Numbers Decrease for Third Consecutive Year
July 16, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – July 13, 2012 – In school year 2010-2011, 365 fewerstudents dropped out of state high schools than in the previous year,according to a new report from the South Carolina Department of Education. The dropout rate for all students was 2.8 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2009-2010 and 1.1 percent from 2007-2008.
This marks the third consecutive year of declining dropout numbers.Since 2007-08, the state’s total annual high school dropouts havedeclined from 8,032 to 5,900 – a 26 percent reduction.
State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais said reducing dropout ratesare a critical step toward improved on-time high school graduationrates, which he views as a key measurement of success for the entireK-12 system.
“We must ensure students stay focused and engaged from the first day ofkindergarten through high school graduation,” Zais said. “Students musthave basic reading skills by third grade to successfully complete highschool. Offering parents a full menu of schools to choose from willenable them to find the best fit for their children’s learning styles.Technology allows schools to deliver learning experiences tailored tomeet the needs of individual students rather than one-size-fits-allinstruction to every student.”
Zais continued, “There is no silver bullet to magically improve highschool graduation rates, but by focusing on providing every student apersonalized and customized education, we can and will make progress.” 
Between2009-2010 and 2010-2011, all demographic groups saw reductions in thedropout rate with the exception of Hispanic students. The number ofHispanic dropouts increased by 46 students for a total of 368, but thatis below the 2007-2008 level of 399 students.
The largest decrease in dropouts was among economically disadvantagedstudents. In 2010-2011, 341 fewer students in this group dropped outthan in the previous year, and over 1,000 fewer than in 2007-2008.
