Poplar Bluff schools earned an all-time high graduation rate of 91.8 percent on its 2017 state performance report. According to Superintendent Scott Dill, this was great news for the district because high school diplomas mean opportunity. But, he added, lack of a high school diploma can be a predictor of future hardship.
"Graduating from high school in our society is a benchmark indicator for success," he said. "Because of a diploma, (students) can access the next stage of life."
In Butler County, nearly one in five residents did not finish high school. According to the United States Census Bureau, 80.5 percent of Butler County residents, aged 25 and over, had high school diplomas between 2011 and 2015; eight percent lower than the national average. Of the students expected to graduate from Poplar Bluff High School in the standard 4-years between 2013 and 2017, more than eight percent did not succeed.
Dill said during his career in education, he has researched what can happen to students who leave the school system. He said experts have identified five factors likely to develop.
"Students who drop out of high school are usually economically disadvantaged," he said. "They are twice as likely to be unemployed as high school graduates. The life expectancy of a high school graduate is 9.2 years longer than that of a dropout. The average 65-year-old high school graduate is in better health than the average 45-year-old high school dropout and 70 percent of those sitting in U.S. prisons dropped out of high school."
Dill said in recent years, a major focus statewide has been on graduation rates. He said though achieving 100 percent is unlikely, what matters is that the school continues to help students strive for success. Ultimately, the question regarding change at Poplar Bluff is why did 8.2 percent of the Class of 2017 dropout before earning a diploma and what can Dill and his administrative team do to encourage students to stay in school in the future?
According to PBHS Guidance Counselor, Dr. Regina Williams, there are several underlying reasons that lead these kids to pursue alternative paths.
"Often it is a result of financial need to work or family obligations such as an ill parent, relative or the need to help with younger siblings," she said. "At other times, students find themselves behind in attendance or school work and do not feel they are able to catch up, or are unwilling to do so. Unfortunately, there are also students that do not want to abide by school consequences on attendance or discipline or just disengage for reasons that are unknown."
According to the census bureau, the percentage of families living below the poverty rate from 2011-15 in Butler County was 27.7 percent, nearly double the national average. This means more students in this area are in situations where they have to contribute to their families on a level more representative of an adult.
Williams said anytime a student verbally tells a teacher, counselor or an administrator he or she is thinking of dropping out, the school takes steps to get the student back on track.
"When it is a financial or family issue, the school is often able to help them with the assistance of attendance trackers, school social workers and local resources, such as Bright Futures council," she said.
"If a student is feeling overwhelmed due to lack of attendance or missing school work, they have many options such as Saturday school, night school, credit recovery, Graduation Center, Truancy Court, or simply a specific teacher, counselor or administrator personally staying with the student until they have completed the assignments or made up the days needed to be back on track."
Alternatively, Williams added there are times when students do not reach out for help and just stop attending school.
"When this occurs, effort is made to contact the student and their parents to find out the reason and find solutions to prevent dropping out from occurring," she said.
Dill said it is not his intent to slight anyone who did not graduate from high school, as situations vary and many people go on to lead fruitful lives. He said his primary purpose at Poplar Bluff is to ensure students leave prepared to embark on any path they choose.