NCJ Number
247341
Date Published
December 2012
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This report examines the effect of dropout rates on the State of Maryland.
Abstract
This report provides information on school dropout rates, examine the fiscal impact of dropouts on the criminal justice system, and provide recommendations to keep students in school. Results show that dropouts are more likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system; students who drop out of school often end up in the adult criminal justice system; when dropouts end up in adult prison, they cost Maryland taxpayers over $400 million per year to incarcerate; and the failure to fix the dropout problem will continue to cost the State of Maryland millions of dollars. Every student who stays in school is more likely to be a positive factor for society than a student who drops out of school; and every incarcerated person who obtains a high school diploma, or even better, college credits, has a better chance to be a productive member of our community. This report includes three examples of effective dropout prevention programs in the public school systems of St. Mary's County, Washington County, and Baltimore City. Also discussed are effective programs in other school systems statewide that work to stem the tide of dropouts.