Gilbert dropouts cost town $139 million over lifetime

Gilbert educators say flexible schooling options are a must to decrease the number of dropouts, which a recent report estimated cost the town about $139 million in lifetime economic losses.

The report from Arizona mayors notes 11.3 percent of students living in Gilbert drop out of school annually.

The town's drop-out rate is far lower than Phoenix's 24.1 percent and Mesa's 21.2 percent, but the costs to the town remain significant, according to the report by the Arizona Mayors Education Roundtable.

Statewide, dropouts cost Arizona $7.6 billion over their lifetimes, according to the report.

The report tallied the costs in lost income, health costs and welfare benefits over their lifetimes.

High-school dropouts who eventually go to college save the state $398 million, according to the report.

Mayor John Lewis, who has had eight children attend Gilbert Public Schools, said in a statement that leaders should "not accept the high percentage of students choosing to drop out of high school."

"In our changing economy, we all know that a high-school diploma is a non-negotiable when it comes to success," Lewis said.

Each high-school dropout is estimated to cost Gilbert $414,200 , according to the report.

If dropouts were reduced by half, the benefits to Gilbert would be $79 million, according to the report.

Gilbert's school officials said part of keeping kids in school is providing learning opportunities that cater to diverse students.

"Diversity is critical for meeting today's learners," Higley Unified School District Superintendent Denise Birdwell said. "(Students) desire multiple platforms. Some want face to face, some want online, some want blended."

Birdwell said students' learning preferences have changed with the technology revolution.

"The age of technology has changed the learner," Birdwell said.

Birdwell said that students drop out for a variety of reasons, but many will leave because they've made life choices like having a baby or living on their own and don't like the traditional school setting.

"I think it has to do with the time frame and rules," Birdwell said. "Most high schools start at 7:30 when we know most students would be more likely to go if it starts later."

Gilbert Public Schools' Canyon Valley School is an alternative school that caters to students who are in danger of dropping out.

Principal Chad Fitzgerald said that the school's flexibility and size "allows students to have choices in how their school day is set up."

The school offers morning and day sessions.

Students take three classes in shorter nine-week blocks as opposed to the traditional 18-week semester, class sizes are smaller and students have an extra 30 minutes of learning time for each class, Fitzgerald said.

In addition to preparing students academically for graduation, staff and teachers build relationships with students so they can learn what factors outside the classroom might be affecting learning, Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said building relationships "helps students buy into their education."

"Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, with not all being positive," Fitzgerald said. "Our belief is that students need to know that you care not only about their academic success, but also for their social and emotional well-being."

Fitzgerald said Canyon Valley teachers also tutor students before and after school, at lunch and on weekends.

Birdwell said today's high-school graduate is expected to know more than any others before.

"The expectations to be college and career ready are much higher than when (students') parents went to school," Birdwell said. "Today, a student needs pre-calculus to do well on the college placements. ... It's not just getting through the basics."