High School Graduation in United States

United States

The connection between education and health is well-documented; however, the relationship is complex, with various other factors that also shape health outcomes. Higher educational attainment is associated with higher earnings, increased health literacy and higher life expectancy. Individuals with lower educational attainment are at greater risk of adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease. Increased time in school is also connected to higher civic engagement in adulthood.

The prevalence of high school graduation is higher among:

• Asian/Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic white students compared with American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black students.
• Students who did not give birth during high school compared with students who did. 
• Students without a disability compared with students who have a disability.
• Students who are proficient in English compared with students learning English as a second language.
• Students who are less economically disadvantaged.
• Students who are not homeless.

Several programs have successfully improved high school graduation rates by targeting high-risk populations, including:

• Alternative schooling models and vocational education training.
• Instruction focused on social and emotional skills.
• Counseling and mentoring services.
• Case management and attendance tracking.
• Opportunities for engagement in community service.

The Institute of Education Sciences lists several recommendations for preventing dropout and improving graduation rates, including providing individualized support to students who have fallen behind and engaging students through curricula and programs that link schoolwork to college and career success. 

Fourth-grade reading proficiency and eighth-grade math proficiency are important early milestones that help students stay on track to graduate high school.

Interventions to increase high school graduation rates should target social, economic and health-related barriers to graduation; these include absenteeism, chronic illness, poverty, hunger, developmental delay due to chronic stress, homelessness and teen pregnancy. The expansion of school-based health centers can help address some of these barriers.

Increasing the proportion of students who graduate in four years with a regular diploma is a Healthy People 2030 adolescent health objective.

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