Study Finds U.S. High School Dropout Rate Declining

05:51

November 10, 2015

Students are seen in a personal finance class at Miami Springs High School in Miami Springs, Florida, on Jan. 8, 2010. According to the Council for Economic Education, the number of states requiring public schools to offer a personal finance course rose from nine to 15 between 2007-2009. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

A new report has found that the number of students who have dropped out from high school in the U.S. has declined. The study shows that the number of dropouts fell from 1 million in 2008 to about 750,000 in 2012.

The report credits federal policy and stronger schools for the improvements. However, some educators say some states, such as Alabama, eased their graduation requirements, which allowed more students to get diplomas.

Here & Now's Robin Young speaks with John Bridgeland, CEO of Civic Enterprises, one of the groups that released the report.

Guest

John Bridgeland, CEO of Civic Enterprises.

This segment aired on November 10, 2015.