| Regression analysis suggests that district-to-district differences in high school completion rates are positively related to post-high school economic and educational opportunities. High school completion rates are negatively related to the costs of schools. Dropping out of high school is the students' attempt to rationally respond to their environment and social circumstances. Thus, dropping out can be interpreted as a rational phenomenon. Students are calculating, often unself-consciously, the costs of staying in school versus the returns to education. Students are acting rational in responding to the constraints and opportunities of their social circumstances.; District-level high school completion rates were regressed on eighteen variables that represent district social and economic characteristics, district-school characteristics, district-level post-high school opportunities, and district-level high school education in Northern Appalachia. These variables tentatively indicate that students' post-secondary economic prospects have a substantial impact on their decision to complete or drop out of high school. |
