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11.1.2005

The Higher Drop-Out Rate of Foreign-Born Teens

The Role of Schooling Abroad

by Rick Fry

Report Materials

Download PDF Complete Report

Press Release

Other Resources

Foreign-born youths are significant contributors to the nation's teen school dropout population. Only 8 percent of the nation's teens are foreign born, but nearly 25 percent of teen school dropouts were born outside the United States, according to a Pew Hispanic Center analysis of data from the 2000 U.S. Census.

Many of these foreign-born school dropouts–nearly 40 percent–are recent arrivals to this country who were already behind in school before they left for the United States. In absolute numbers, recently arrived foreign-born teens who had difficulties in school before migration are a relatively small phenomenon–they make up just 6 percent of all foreign-born youths–but they are at high risk of dropping out once they arrive. (A youth is categorized as a dropout if he or she is not currently enrolled in school and has not completed a high school education. This includes those who have never enrolled in school in the United States.)

The impact of schooling difficulties before migration on school enrollment in the U.S. applies widely to youths from all countries of origin. For example, recently arrived teens from China who made adequate progress in school before migrating have a school dropout rate of less than 4 percent. But recent arrivals from China who did not make adequate school progress in China have a dropout rate greater than 30 percent.

Other Resources

Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk/Johns Hopkins University
(CRESPAR) was established in 1994 as a collaboration between Johns Hopkins University and Howard University. CRESPAR's mission is to conduct research, development, evaluation, and dissemination of replicable strategies designed to transform schooling for students who are placed at risk due to inadequate institutional responses to such factors as poverty, ethnic minority status, and non-English-speaking home background.

Intercultural Development Research Association
IDRA is an independent, non-profit organization that advocates the right of every child to a quality education. Focusing mostly on Texas. IDRA conducts research and development activities; creates, implements and administers innovative education programs; and provides teacher, administrator, and parent training and technical assistance.

National Dropout Prevention Centers
NDPC is to serve as a research center and resource network for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to reshape school and community environments to meet the needs of youth in at-risk situations. NDPC publishes reports as well as a scholarly journal focusing on dropout prevention in the US schools.

NDPC links page
National Dropout Prevention links is an incredible resource page with links to local and national organization dedicated to the research and prevention of dropouts.

High School Graduation Rates in the United States
This study examines high school graduates rates in the US. It reports that the national graduation rate for the class of 1998 was 71%. For white students the rate was 78%, while it was 56% for African-American students and 54% for Latino students.

The Project for Equity, Representation and Governance at Texas A&M University
PERG at TAMU is a research institute dedicated to higher educational policy in Texas as well as the US. Latest research includes several publications on Latino dropouts.

No More Excuses: Hispanic Dropout Prevention
Sponsored by Sen. Bingham (D-NM), this report studies the nature of the problems and identify programs that effectively keep Latino students in school.

ERIC Digest on Latino Dropouts
This overview on the issues, research and policies concerning Latino High School dropouts.

Who Graduates in the South
In this study published by the Urban Institute, show that the region's overall graduation rate of 65 percent falls below the national average and that large disparities exist among racial-ethnic groups. This graduation gap has narrowed slightly during the past several years. Detailed results for five Southern states (FL, GA, LA, MS, NC) and a special analysis of the link between graduation rates and levels of racial and socioeconomic segregation are also included.

Who Graduates in California
In this report by the Urban Institute, shows graduation rates for the high school class of 2002 show that 71 percent of all students in California's public education system complete high school. This level falls slightly above the national average.

Social Statistics Briefing Room: Dropout Rates
According to NCES produced data on dropout rates for 2002 by race and ethnicity, one third of dropouts were Hispanics.

High School Graduation, Completion, and Dropout (GCD) Indicators
This report explores the measurement of high school graduation, completion, and dropout (GCD) rates.