Experiences of Female Dropouts: A Study in South Georgia

Nationally, one in four high school students drops out in high school. Georgia, in particular, is very concerning with a 67% high school completion rate (Hickman & Heinrich, 2011) and a 41% drop out rate recorded for girls (National Women's Law Center, 2007). While these statistics are disturbing, they do not do justice to the reality of the lives of young women who leave school, nor do they reveal the underlying causes of females dropping out. This study examines female dropouts through in-depth interviews with numerous young women who are willing to share their stories. This work provides insight into the needs of young women and improvement of school practices and examines the educational, economic, vocational, and social implications of young women leaving school.