In his first State of the Union message, President Bush said the dropout rate was 25 percent and set a goal of reducing that rate to 10 percent by the end of the decade. In fact, however, more Americans—some 87.1 percent—are now completing their high school education than ever before in history.

What the president actually was citing was not the dropout rate but the rate of those not graduating "on time." About half of those who don't graduate on time eventually complete their studies.

Graduation rates for both whites and minorities have been rising steadily over the past two decades, while disparities between them have been narrowing.

• In 1940, only 38 percent of all young adults had completed high school.

• By 1988, the figure had risen to 86 percent.

• The high school completion rate for black students rose from 11.6 percent to 81 percent during the period.

Only 53 percent of Hispanics between 25 and 34 years of age have completed high school. However:

• The completion rate for those born in the United States is 78 percent.

• Evidence suggests that Hispanics who are expected to learn and use English quickly have a higher graduation rate than those taught in bilingual settings.

After the president's speech, Congress voted more than $2 billion in new funds for dropout prevention programs. However, even well-funded programs have little effect.

There is evidence that higher academic standards spur higher achievement and reduce dropout rates. Studies also indicate that students who are passed on to the next grade level without the requisite basic skills are more likely to drop out.

Source: Michael J. McLaughlin, "High School Dropouts: How Much of a Crisis?", Backgrounder No, 781, April 30, 1991, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 546-4400