NEEDS ASSESSMENT

TOPIC AREA:

    CNMI Dropout Rates

During the period of 1984 1988, the Public School System lost approximately 100 students a year, or an average of 32%, according to Robert Coldeen of the Public School System Before 1984 the average was about 40%, while the national average is about 25%. The present figure (FY 1994-95) is 5.48% dropout at the secondary level.

Table I. Showing the Number of Dropouts from Junior and Senior

Public High Schools
CNMI for the last 5 years

School Year Grades 7 & 8 Grades 9,10,11 & 12 Total
1990-91 119 122 241
1991-92 83 86 169
1992-93 56 152 208
1993-94 17 57 74
1994-95 65 98 163
Total 340 515 855

**Source: Public School System Report


Table II. ABE Enrollment and GED graduates for the last 5 years

SY Enrollment Total GED/Secondary Level GED Graduates

1990-91 146 37 10


1991-92 201 69 21


1992-93 244 121 11


1993-94 429 184 27


1994-95 430 122 40


Total 1,450 533 109


The drop outs are more than the GED graduates. Adding the drop out figures to the already existing number of non-high school completers means that the total is increasing rather decreasing

The Challenge is great. We have to continually improve the program, redouble our efforts in order to equal the challenge.

Needs Assessment Topic Areas