Expanding the Understanding of High School Non-Graduates Through a Comparison of High School Dropouts and Persisters

Abstract

Although persisters now represent the largest group of non-graduating high school students, they have received little attention in the research literature, leaving unanswered the question of how persisters differ from dropouts in terms of demographic characteristics, academic preparation, and key life outcomes. Using statewide linked-administrative education and labor market data, we applied multilevel modeling to examine the differences in demographic and academic characteristics between persisters and late (Year 4) dropouts. We identified several student- (i.e., race, special education participation, previous dropout, standardized test scores, on-track status, and attendance) and school- (i.e., school type, school size) level characteristics that related to the odds of persisting and dropping out in students’ fourth year of high school. Additionally, we used a descriptive approach and data visualization to illustrate the near-term academic, postsecondary enrollment, and labor market pathways of 4-year non-graduates. Our findings highlight the unique characteristics and outcomes of persisting non-graduates and underscore an enhanced understanding of non-graduation through examining both persisting students and dropouts.

Keywords:

• Persisters
• dropout
• persisting non-graduates
• labor market participation
• postsecondary participation

Acknowledgments and credits

This research was made possible with data, technical, and research support provided by the Maryland Longitudinal Data System (MLDS) Center. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of the State of Maryland, the MLDS Center, the MLDS Governing Board, or its partner agencies. This manuscript benefited from comments from the MLDS Center and its partner agencies and from the comments of anonymous reviewers.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are housed on a protected virtual private network by the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and protected by State statute. Due to the nature of the research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available. Researchers can request access to the MLDS through the MLDS Center website.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.