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Show Utah Foundation Study Reveals High Rate of Drop Outs in Utah Hi Schools More than one out of four students who enter Utah's high schools fails to graduate. This fact was disclosed this week by Utah Foundation, the private, nonprofit tax research re-search organization. Foundation analysts point out that public high schools in Utah graduated 8,384 students last year. However, more than 3,000 Utah students who had been enrolled in the tenth grade three years earlier did not graduate in 1954. Of these total drop-outs between be-tween the tenth grade and graduation, grad-uation, 38 occurred between the tenth and eleventh grade, 44 occurred between the the 11th and 12th grades, and 18 occurred oc-curred after the student had entered en-tered the 12th grade. In 1954 there were 549 Utah high school students who did not graduate even though they had been enrolled en-rolled in the 12th grade during the year. Lower Before W. W. II In examining the long-ternr trends, the Foundation report notes that there was a general downward trend in the drop-out rate prior to the beginning of World War II. The percent of dropouts between the tenth grade and graduation declined from 35 in 1930 to 26.9 In 1940. During the War, the fate rose very radidly (especially for boys) when large numbers of students enlisted in the armed forces or entered war industry. With the end of World War II, the rate again declined, reaching reach-ing a low of 21.6) in 1950. Since that time, however, the rate has risen to 26.5 in 1954. "In most Instances," according to the report, "the drop-out rate has been somewhat higher for boys than for girls. This difference, differ-ence, however, has narrowed duf -ing recent years." All Districts Effected The Utah Foundation study shows that high school drop-outs occur in every Utah community. Districts with rising populations appear to be affected to about the same extent as districts with declining populations. Large districts dis-tricts are affected as are the small districts. Drop-outs occur with equal frequency in both the rural districts and the urban districts. The Foundation reports that the State School Office has recognized re-cognized the problem and is cur-rently cur-rently trying to find some of the needed answers. A questionnaire has been sent to some former Utah high school students, and considerable data have already been collected by this means. In addition, a Utah State Follow-up Follow-up Committee, consisting of 20 persons, has been formed to study the problem. |
