Deciding not to continue school in high school is a serious decision that many people regret later in life. A high school diploma is required in many jobs and if you want to enter university. However, if you believe that dropping out of school is indeed the best decision for you, and not just an emotional response to a negative situation, you should follow proper procedures for doing so. However, it would be better if you want to weigh the options and consult the appropriate legal channels. Read this article to find out how to get out of school properly.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Understanding Your Motivation
Step 1. Consider your reasons for dropping out of school
Knowing the exact cause can help decide whether this step is really the best. Some common reasons for dropping out of school include:
- Lack of intellectual stimulation. If you find high school too easy and boring, you may be tempted to drop out and apply for college or vocational training early.
- Feeling unprepared and left behind. If you feel that high school is too difficult, you miss a lot of subject matter so you can't catch up, there is no one to support you, you may tend to be driven to drop out of school and not continue your education.
- Have other responsibilities. If you become a parent unexpectedly, a family member is sick, or is forced to work to support the family, you may feel that leaving school is your only option to find time to work.
Step 2. Ask first if there are other options
Meet with a tutor or class teacher you trust and share your situation. Who knows there's a solution that doesn't require you to drop out of school:
- If you find yourself lacking intellectual stimulation, you may want to take more challenging classes. Some schools that do not offer advanced courses may have connections to online universities or institutions. You can even take two majors, completing a Diploma III diploma and a high school diploma at the same time.
- If you feel unprepared and left behind, it means you have to work hard to catch up. The good news is that there may be educators at your school willing to help, especially if they know you're considering leaving school. Ask about credit score recovery programs, offer to work in class (such as cleaning or organizing classrooms) in exchange for teaching, and find out what activities you can do.
- If you have more responsibilities at home, talk to your tutor. There may be a work program that generates credit and money scores at the same time. Your supervisor may also be able to advise you on financial resources that can help, while you stay in school. Remember that a high school graduate's lifetime income is 50%-100% higher than a dropout, so leaving school may not be the best option for your family in the long run.
Step 3. Don't leave school just because your friends follow suit
If someone else -- a parent, friend, or boyfriend -- is pushing you to drop out of school, tell them to stop and stay away. This decision only you have the right to make, because the consequences will be felt for a lifetime. So you have to be absolutely sure.
Part 2 of 4: Deciding To Drop Out of School
Step 1. Make a sound argument
You have to be able to explain your decision over and over again, to many people. But before that, make sure you have a clear and reasonable argument for the path to be taken.
- For example, “I don't feel served by this education system. Not feeling challenged, interested, or moved by the curriculum or the educators. I decided for my family from high school to be able to pursue higher education on my own, and find an educational institution that fits my academic goals.”
- For example, “I decided to drop out of school because I felt I had no other choice. To be able to catch up on assignments and education that was left behind due to too many absent days, I had to repeat school for another year. My grades were so low that they didn't qualify for a diploma, even if I tried my best to catch up. It would have been better if I left, took my GED (General Education Development) certificate and got straight to work.”
- For example, “I chose to leave school in order to be fully employed. Although this decision may not make sense to you, only I know the needs of me and my family. Having money to feed my family and myself is much more important than studying academic things that will never have any effect on my life.”
Step 2. Ask about alternative high schools
Many regional schools offer alternative or independent secondary schools. Often in the form of schools that are more flexible in terms of time and rationale. The students in this school tend to be more mature and already working.
- If most of your complaints about high school revolve around environmental and student issues, an alternative school may be a better fit.
- Alternative high schools will sometimes allow you to speed up your course and leave early.
Step 3. Make a plan for your future
Before you actually drop out of school, you need to know what to do if you're not in school. At the very least you will try to get a GED certificate or a high school equivalent diploma. This should be done as soon as possible, while still "spirited school".
- If you're planning to leave high school to start an academy or vocational program, make sure you get into the program you want and the equivalent of the high school you left.
- If you plan to work full-time, make sure there is a job waiting. Find out how many hours you work and ask about benefit programs such as health insurance and dental insurance.
Step 4. Anticipate the other party's arguments
The best way to prepare yourself to answer questions and arguments around, "Are you sure about this?" from adults about your decision to leave school is to anticipate questions before they are asked. Try to picture the conversation in your head and answer any questions that may arise.
Step 5. Talk to guardians/parents
Even if you are 18 years old and legally entitled to make your own decisions, it would be wise to inform the party who has been taking care of you, of all the decisions that will be made (preferably before making the decision yourself). State your reasons, but don't expect them to immediately understand or even agree. It takes time for them to accept a new idea--and even if they agree, it's not necessarily entirely sincere. But if you are willing and able to be clear and firm, they will certainly appreciate it.
Prepare a backup plan. The worst-case scenario that could happen is that you will be kicked out of the house if you decide to drop out of school. If you think this is going to happen, make sure you have some shelter (at least temporarily)
Step 6. Talk to the supervising teacher
Visit a counselor or student counselor and tell them your plans. Be sure to provide the right reasons, future plans, and the parent/guardian's response to your decision (even if the response was unpleasant).
Part 3 of 4: Legal Requirements Research
Step 1. Ensure the legal age to leave school
Each region and country has its own policies, so make sure you know exactly what age you are legally allowed to drop out of school of your own accord. There are some regions and countries that allow students to Drop Out (DO) or leave at the age of 16, while in other regions the permission can only be obtained at the age of 18. Although you may leave school with the permission of a guardian/parent if you are younger than the age of 18. legal in some regions or countries, others won't allow you to say you're 18. Even with parental/guardian permission. Make sure you know this information before actually dropping out of school.
Get information on legal age requirements here
Step 2. Don't just stop going to school
Even if you are considered dropped out if you just stop going to school, this action without consulting the right legal umbrella will result in legal ramifications against you and your guardian/parents.
- Simply dropping out of school can be considered truancy in the eyes of the law, and can result in a fine or community service for you and/or your guardian/parents.
- A "truant" status can prevent you from getting a high school-equivalent diploma.
Step 3. Understand the exam requirements for DO students in your area
In some areas, it may be legally permissible to leave school early if the guardian/parent agrees “and” if you pass the high school equivalent exam or obtain a GED certificate. Make sure to do some research and see if your area has this policy.
Step 4. Talk to your tutor or administrative advisor about all the required documents
Each school district and district has a different form that you and your guardian/parent must fill out. Make sure you have consulted with the right people at the school to find out what documents to fill out and when to resubmit
Be wary of the possibility that your supervising teacher may persuade you to leave school. Be prepared to make excuses and show confidence in your own decisions
Part 4 of 4: Considering Alternative High Schools
Step 1. Consider attending online and homeschooling
All of these choices, if done diligently, will result in a diploma that will allow you to attend school and work at your own pace, without the social burdens of high school.
Step 2. Think of work-study programs
This can be a great option that you can consult and work with school staff. If there is a particular field of study that interests you, consider taking a work-study program. This way, not only will you be able to finish school, but also graduate with job opportunities and options.
Step 3. Consider Gateway Programs, and Public/Junior Academies
You may also consider applying early to the Public/Junior Academies via the school's Gateway Program. If you get enough credit, some high schools will transfer you to a Public/Junior Academy.
Step 4. Think about what you want to be in the future
If you decide that any kind of academic environment isn't right for you, it's a good idea to consider a career in the technical path.
Step 5. Get a GED certificate (or High School Equivalent Certificate of Proficiency)
The GED (General Education Development) certificate means General Education Development, often considered a certificate equivalent to a high school diploma and is a test that can be taken to show employers that you have the education equivalent of someone with a high school diploma, without having to attend high school.
The High School Equivalent Certificate of High School Proficiency is awarded by the California Ministry of Education to students who pass the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). While GEDs are intended for ages 17 and over and dropouts from school, the California proficiency certification program is intended for teens in grade 10 or ages 16 and over
Tips
- Talk to other DO actors and do some statistical research on them.
- Observe whether you are able to improve your skills, work ethic, and have job satisfaction while in school. Work after school and on weekends, but still try to keep up your academic grades, just in case you want to graduate.
- If you drop out, try getting a GED certificate and enrolling in a public academy. A diploma from a public academy for two years may be better than nothing, but it still depends on what you want to achieve in the future.
- Consider all the long and short term consequences.
- Talk to all those who made it through high school and college, to see what effect this has had on them.
- Don't be afraid if you change your mind and want to stay in high school, and don't be afraid to apply for public or junior academies either.
- It is highly recommended that you enter a vocational school or public academy after leaving high school.
