California’s dropout crisis affects every community in the state. When students drop out of school, they drop into the community where they live. Compared to high school graduates, research documents that dropouts have: higher rates of unemployment; lower earnings; poorer health and higher rates of mortality; higher rates of criminal behavior and incarceration; and increased dependence on public assistance. These generate substantial economic losses to the nation, to the state, and to local communities.

These profiles document the magnitude of the dropout problem in local communities throughout California and the economic losses that they generate. They also estimate the economic benefits to reducing dropouts and the reductions in violent crimes that will likely result. Profiles are provided for cities that are part of the California Mayors’ Education Roundtable.

Related Press Release from April 9, 2009.