Dropping out of High School Among African Americans in Benton Harbor, Michigan : a Study of Its Economic Implications
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1997 Dropping out of High School Among African Americans in Benton Harbor, Michigan : a Study of its Economic Implications Dahlia E. Pottinger Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Education Commons, and the Finance and Financial Management Commons Recommended Citation Pottinger, Dahlia E., "Dropping out of High School Among African Americans in Benton Harbor, Michigan : a Study of its Economic Implications" (1997). Dissertations. 640. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/640 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University School of Education DROPPING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN: A STUDY OF ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor o f Philosophy by Dahlia E. Pottinger June 1997 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number; 9804053 Copyright 1997 by Pottinger, Dahlia Elaine All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9804053 Copyright 1997, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © Copyright by Dahlia E. Pottinger 1997 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dropping Out of High School Among African Americans in Benton Harbor, Michigan: A Study of Its Economic Implications A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education by Dahlia E Pottinger APPROVAIi Bk THE'''COMMITTEE Warren E Minder J r . Member: Gary G. Land Member: Leonard Gashugi ernal: Noraan'Miles ate proved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT DROPPING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN: A STUDY OF ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS by Dahlia E. Pottinger Chair: Bernard M. Lall Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School o f Education Title: DROPPING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN: A STUDY OF ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS Name of researcher: Dahlia E. Pottinger Name and degree of faculty chair: Bernard M. Lall, Ph.D. Date completed: June 1997 Problem This study examined the economic implications of dropping out of high school for African Americans in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Methods The methodology used in this study is a documentary one. Sources relating to the economic implications of dropping out of high school among African Americans were studied. The United States 1990 Census of Population, the National Center for Education Statistics, and local publications provided data for the research. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Results Dropping out of high school has definite economic implications for dropouts in Benton Harbor. The estimated number of African American dropouts as of 1990 was a total o f 3,578. Since one dropout loses in excess of $200,000 over a lifetime (Catterall, 1986), the estimated income loss of Benton Harbor dropouts during their lifetime is $200,000 multiplied by 3,578. This is approximately $715.6 million. The community suffers economic loss because of the multiplier effect which conceptualizes the chain effect of money spent. There is no single factor that explains Benton Harbor students’ decision to drop out. Truancy, lack o f students’ interest, “a revolving superintendency syndrome,” very low MEAP scores, poverty, single parent-female headed families, and high number of welfare recipients, are related to the dropout problem. While students are dropping out, local businesses need workers with proficiencies in reading, writing, computation, and the ability to work with others to contribute to their economic success. Benton Harbor High School recognizes the economic implications of linking education to work and attempts to prepare its students for the job market through hands on courses at the Benton Harbor Technical Center. The private and social costs of dropping out are complex and difficult to estimate. Conclusion Dropping out of high school has economic implications for the Benton Harbor High School dropout, the community and the nation. It translates into Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. loss of personal income over a lifetime, difficulty of transition into the job market, unemployment, accessibility mainly to minimum wage jobs, a disparity in income and work-related benefits, a dependency on welfare, among others. Teaching economics to secondary students, with emphasis on staying in school and successfully graduating, can educate students regarding the financial benefits o f staying in school. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To Donovan, my husband who saw in me seventeen years ago the academic volition to excel. He has given me an inestimable amount of love and caring support. To two very talented and wonderful sons, Don Andrew, our first, and Darren Anthony, our second. Both boys have cheerfully endured the challenge o f my intense years of work and study as a full-time public school teacher and doctoral student. 111 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................... x Chapters I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... I Background ................................................................................................... 1 Dropout Problem Among African Americans in Benton Harbor, M ichigan .......................................................................................................... 2 Rationale .......................................................................................................... 13 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................. 15 Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................... 15 Significance of the Study ............................................................................... 16 Research Questions ........................................................................................ 17 Definition of Term s ........................................................................................ 18 Delimitations of the Study ............................................................................... 20 Basic Assumptions .........................................................................................