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When Girls Don’t Graduate, We All Fail: A Call to Improve High School Graduation Rates for Girls demonstrates that there is a dropout crisis for girls in our nation’s schools. One of every four girls fails to complete her high school diploma in four years, and the numbers are worse for girls of color. These dropout patterns result in severe economic consequences for girls and their families. Compared to their male peers who drop out of school, girls who do not complete high school experience higher rates of unemployment, earn significantly lower wages, and are more likely to need to rely on public support programs to provide for their families.

Reports & Toolkits

October 29, 2007

One in four girls do not finish high school, and the numbers are worse for girls of color. One in two Native American female students, four in ten Black female students, and nearly four in ten Hispanic female students fail to graduate with a diploma each year.  All dropouts face significant challenges to obtaining employment and achieving economic security, yet female dropouts are at particular economic risk.  As compared with their male peers, girls who fail to graduate form high school have higher rates of unemployment, make significantly lower wages; and are more likely to need to rely on public support programs to provide for their families.  At a time when every hour counts, the dropout rates and educational experiences of female students cannot be ignored.

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Fact Sheets

October 15, 2007

Girls are dropping out of school at alarming rates, and studies show that schools can be successful in reducing their dropout rates where they offer CTE programs and make the link between academic work, college success, and careers. Schools that want to reduce their dropout rates must ensure that girls have equal access to career and technical education (“CTE”) classes that provide training for high-skill, high-wage jobs.

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October 15, 2007

Students are dropping out of school at alarming rates, and both boys and girls report that they drop out in part because they do not feel safe at school. Schools that want to reduce their dropout rates must protect students from sexual harassment and bullying, and must ensure that students know to whom and how they should report sex discrimination.

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October 15, 2007

Students are dropping out of school at alarming rates. Many boys and girls report that they drop out because they do not feel safe at school. The National Women’s Law Center wants all students to know that they have a right to be protected from harassment, bullying and/or other forms of violence at school.

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January 5, 2006

A Dropout Crisis for Girls

How Schools Can Help

Interventions to address the dropout crisis must be tailored to the different needs of boys and girls of all races and ethnicities, based on the distinct experiences of these students and the enhanced research and data collection recommended by the report. Policymakers, educators, students, and parents all have a role to play in ensuring that students are provided the support they need to stay in school. Read more...

January 5, 2006

A Dropout Crisis for Girls

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sexual harassment? Does Title IX impose quotas? What are some examples of career and technical education programs? Below you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding girls and women in education. We have included questions from a vast range of topics including career and technical education, Title IX, athletics, sexual harassment, and pregnant and parenting students in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the dropout crisis. Read more...

Webinars & Presentations

July 10, 2009

Watch the Video.

Pregnant and Parenting Students: Know Your Rights
by Lara Kaufmann, Senior Counsel,
National Women's Law Center

On Screen:
The Rights of Pregnant & Parenting Students
Lara S. Kaufmann, Senior Counsel
National Womens Law Center
lkaufmann@nwlc.org

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