Around the world the term secondary school refers to schooling completed after primary or elementary school. In general this is referring to high school. In the United States the term ‘secondary school’ can also refer to an alternative high school. No matter what it is called, the importance of attending a secondary school or high school is vital to your future success in many areas of your life.
Students who choose not to complete a high school education and never go on to achieve a G.E.D. or other high school equivalency certification make up nearly half the heads of households on welfare assistance. It is very difficult for high school dropouts to find stable, good paying jobs to provide for themselves or their families. Over their lifetime a high school dropout will earn an average of $200,000 less than their peers who graduated from high school and an average of $800,000 less than those who went on to graduate from college.
Because of the increasing number of people who are going on to get a higher education, there are less chances of employment for uneducated people. Employers get piles of applications for jobs and are not going to waste their time on applicants who have not finished high school. In most cases an employer sees this as a character flaw and may be concerned that anyone who chose not to take the time and effort to finish high school will not devote themselves to their job either.
Further statistics on high school dropouts show that they are more likely to be unemployed, living in poverty, on public assistance, single parents of children who will then drop out of high school as well. Most high school dropouts will also have poor health due to many of the other issues created because of their choice. These individuals are also more likely to be in jail or prison and tend to commit approximately 75 percent of crimes committed in the United States. Furthermore, those who choose not to complete their secondary education are less likely to vote or participate in the community.
