The Dropout Problem!

Based on the West Virginia Department of Education Data for 2004-2005 and the US Census Bureau Data, the following data is available to us:

• There were 3,487 Dropouts in WV 2004-2005

• There were 56 Dropouts in Greenbrier County, resulting in $414,400.00 annual lost wages

• The unemployment rate of dropouts is almost twice that of high school graduates

• Dropouts typically earn half the income of high school graduates

• Dropouts are three times more likely to live in poverty than those who complete high school

According to the West Virginia Division of Corrections FY 2004:

• 3,942 Incarcerated Adults (not counting those awaiting beds)

• 2,861 Incarcerated Adults are High School Dropouts

• 72% Incarcerated Adults are High School Dropouts

View the cost for only year:

• $28,000 Housing per incarcerated adult total $80,108,000.00

• $171.00 per enrolled CIS student

• 60 High School Dropouts in Greenbrier County FY 2003-2004 total $10,260.00

• 375 High School Dropouts in West Virginia FY 2003-2004 total $64,125.00

If all of 2,861 Incarcerated High School Dropouts had stayed in school, enrolled as a CIS student, the total cost would be $489,231.00 for one year. The difference in cost is $79,618,769.00.

According to the West Virginia State Board of Education, there are 698 schools throughout the state. The annual salary for one CIS Case Manager is $27,000.00. Maintaining one Case Manager in each school totals $18,846,000.00. This leaves $60,772,769.00 from the total amount to maintain the High School Dropouts incarcerated.

Based on the 2,861 Incarcerated Adult High School Dropouts, the State has lost Revenue as follows:

• $21,171,400.00 = One year of Lost Wages for this one year's dropouts;

• $6,351,420.00 = One year of Lost Tax Revenue for this one year's dropouts.