New Report Clearly Demonstrates Value of a High School Education

While educators have long argued that when local schools are successful, local communities benefit; there's now clear evidence that is the case. A new report, "The Economic Benefits from Halving the Dropout Rate: A Boom to Businesses in the Nation's Largest Metropolitan Areas," released in January by the Alliance for Excellent Education demonstrates growth in many economic areas from a lower dropout rate. "The report underscores the notion that the best economic stimulus package is a high school diploma," said Bob Wise, Alliance president and former West Virginia governor. The Alliance analyzed the local economies of the 50 largest cities and their surrounding areas using a model developed by Economic Modeling Specialists, an Idaho-based firm working in socioeconomics. Economic projections for each metropolitan area were made in such key areas as individual earnings, home and auto sales, job and economic growth, spending and investment, and tax revenue. The information in this study can produce greater community support for high schools if community leaders become aware of its findings, but it's up to high school principals and school system communicators to make sure there is widespread knowledge of the report in their community.