National Association of Social Workers

Role Critical in Curbing Dropout Rates

Social Workers Trained to Spot Obstacles for Students

Poverty, behavioral problems and lack of safety contribute to dropping out of school.

By Paul R. Pace, News Staff

Illustration: John Michael Yanson

Efforts to curb the high rate of high school dropouts in the U.S. have been discussed for decades. However, new rallying cries from national leaders and organizations to address the problem have been broadcast nationwide in recent months.

Social workers and school social workers point out that their roles are critical in any efforts to keep children from becoming dropout statistics.

Media reports highlighted a study prepared for the America's Promise Alliance earlier this year. It warned that 17 of the nation's 50 largest cities had high school graduation rates lower than 50 percent when analyzing 2003-2004 school district data.

The study also showed most metropolitan areas suffered a considerable gap in the graduation rates between their inner-city schools and those in the surrounding suburbs. In contrast with city graduation rates, nationally about 70 percent of students graduate on time with a regular diploma. About 1.2 million students drop out annually.

In May, United Way, the country's largest nonprofit agency, announced an ambitious 10-year plan to promote increases in high school graduation rates (www.liveunited.org/goals/cg_education.cfm). Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way, stated that efforts to help students graduate are vital to their future.

"It's increasingly apparent that the basic building blocks of a good life — a quality education, stable income and good health — are beyond the reach of too many individuals and families," Gallagher said. "As a nation, we can't accept these conditions. We need to challenge the system to ignite a new social movement and begin to develop new partnerships and strategies which will create opportunities for a better life for all people."

Part of the organization's "Goals for the Common Good: The United Way Challenge to America" campaign is to cut by half the number of young people who drop out of high school.

United Way will also be an important partner in creating strong relationships to address the prevention of risky behaviors and root causes of poor health outcomes and disparities among groups, said Janet Collins, director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

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From July 2008 NASW News. © 2008 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.