Kids who “disappear” from the school system

South Carolina Department of Education has released a report that complies with federal reporting requirements on the state’s dropout rate. Dr. Mike Lucas, Oconee Superintendent of Education, comments this week on the dropout rate which is calculated by the percentage of students who leave a school for any reason, other than death, prior to graduation and without transferring to another school or institution. According to statistics, dropouts are more likely to be a 9th grade male. In the 2008-2009 year, Oconee recorded a dropout rate of 137 students, or 4.3%. But the dropout percentage has fallen each year since then—to 2.5% in 2011-2012. Also, much more likely to drop out are students who are from minority groups, the economically disadvantaged and those with disabilities.