Dropouts

Okay, I know that I am generally talking about how education is imporant and all, but this really does not bother me too much. I believe strongly in having and educated public, but, for me, an educated public is one that can think for itself, not one that knows a lot of stuff. This education is born of experience, not classrom learning, at least not the way most classrooms operate. What is the real motivation for someone to stay in high school?

People frequently cite the discrepencies in pay between those with and without high school degrees. That does not mean that finishing high school will improve the pay you will receive, though. It means that people who finish high school are, by and large, more motivated to excell, or at least improve themselves. That motivation is what drives the discrepency. Can that be taught? No, not really. People can learn more things, but someone who doesn't want to put forth effort in their life will not necessarily find such motivation in a bit of extra knowledge.

Specific jobs have varying educational requirements, but someone who has a target job in mind, likely has the motivation required already.

Parents, family, friends. For most people, dropout or not, these are the seeds of motivation for their lives. This is where all people start and find the will and the drive to continue. The government can not provide these things, nor can it fix problems that relate to them. Not through the educational system anyway. If the dropout rate rises, falls, or remains the same it is most likely an indicator that home life, on average, is improving, degrading, or going unchanged. The government can not really fix home lives, but it can help. Social welfare, tax cuts to the POOR AND LOWER MIDDLE CLASS, police and other such programs are all things that can help. Fix these and dropout rates will take care of themselves. Fix these, and kids will find motivation in a happier home. Ignore them, and nothing changes.