Dropouts

www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org

Talk with your kids about dropouts
Who is not a dropout
11 Facts About High School Dropout Rates
Is it Worth a Million to Stay in School?
7 Jobs That Will Be Gone in 10 Years
These 10 jobs are facing extinction
10 Jobs That Will Be Hiring Like Crazy in 2017
15 Worst States in America to Make a Living in 2016
GED Recipients Have Lower Earnings, are Less Likely to Enter College
One in 10 Schools Are 'Dropout Factories'
Oregon Dropout Rates - 2015/16

Curry Couny Dropout Rate - 2015/16

High School

All Students
Dropout
Dropout Rate

Brookings-Harbor

533
27
5.07

Gold Beach

172
10
5.81

Port Orford

70
3
4.29

Oregon 2014/15

179,747
7,649
4.26

Source: www.oregon.gov/ode/reports-and-data/students/Pages/Dropout-Rates.aspx

Oregon High Schools - Dropout Rates

All Oregon High Schools
Brookings/Harbor High School
Gold Beach High School
Pacific High School

Examples of Dropouts - Oregon Graduates & Dropouts Reporting Manual - 8/14/09, Page 17 http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/research/dropoutmanual.pdf or http://bit.ly/t5kEQL
Dropout Rates in Oregon High Schools - 012915 - definitions
Oregon High School Report Card http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/reportcard/reports.aspx or http://bit.ly/3Ev8wX
Oregon School Rankings in Math and Reading
Zero Toleance Policy
Related Issues: 
Absenteeism, Graduation Rates
Merchandise - Single card - $1.00 includes shipping, Positive Parenting Pack (all 34 cards) - $13.00 plus shipping

Oregon Dropout Factories: 1 out of 175 schools (.06 percent) Rank: 2 out of 50 states.
Utah was number 1 with no schools out of 100.

Talk with your kids about dropouts


How much is an education worth?

There are undoubtedly numerous non-monetary benefits to a good education (both personal and social). However, in purely monetary terms the answer has to be "quite a lot." In 2001 the median income for men with professional degrees was $78,861 per year greater than that for men who never entered high school. Men who finished their schooling after earning a BA made on average $20,071 per year more than men with only a high school diploma.

Along with the financial data, more Americans are staying in school longer than ever before. Currently, almost 9-in-10 young adults graduate from high school and about 6-in-10 high school seniors go on to college the following year - both all-time highs. This means that the competition for good jobs will be even more challenging.

Economic Downturn

While the comparative numbers aren't in, what we do know is that generally the first jobs to get cut and the last to start up again are in the lower income brackets. There is less leeway in this category since the amount of disposable income for items other than food, clothing and shelter is substantially less. Therefore, foreclosures and bankruptcies hit this group especially hard.

Earnings Premium

According to the March, 2007 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, adults aged 18 and older earned the following:

Without a High School Diploma - $19,915
High School Diploma - $29,448
Associate's Degree* - $37,990
Bachelor's Degree - $54,689

*Community colleges are the gateway to higher ed and better jobs for many Americans. In fact, nearly half of all post secondary students attend community colleges. Because of their relative low cost and accessibility, community colleges serve large numbers of low-income and first-generation college students. But to achieve a degree, students must stay in school. Unfortunately, nearly half of all students who are at a community college fail to earn a degree or transfer to another school within six years.

GED

GED certificate holders had lower earnings than those who earned a regular high school diploma regardless of sex, race and ethnicity or age. Overall, high school diploma holders earned approximately $4,700 in mean monthly earnings compared with GED certificate holders, who earned $3,100.

GED recipients and high school graduates differ in levels of educational attainment and earnings.

Want to start a family?

Do you think you will have an extra $125,000 over the next 17 years at today's costs. You'll need at least that much to raise a child off welfare. That doesn't include the cost of college, lost income or career opportunities, life insurance, tax benefits or the costs of living. If you have 3 kids in California, it will cost $832,728 over the next 17 years. That is without college costs. If you include college, you are easily looking at $1 million plus.

Who is not a dropout


Dropout data is collected in the Annual Cumulative Average Daily Membership (ADM) Data Collection each year at the end of the school year, which identifies students' enrollment dates and status as of the last day of enrollment for the year.

A dropout is a student who withdrew from school and did not graduate or transfer to another school that leads to graduation.

Dropouts do not include students who:

are deceased,
are being home schooled,
are enrolled in an alternative school or hospital education program,
are enrolled in a juvenile detention facility,
are enrolled in a foreign exchange program,
are temporarily absent because of suspension, a family emergency, or severe health problems that prevent attendance at school,
received a GED certificate,
received an adult high school diploma from a community college.

Rules developed by the Oregon Department of Education ensure a complete accounting of students who drop out during the school year, as well as students who drop out between school years.

Oregon’s dropout reporting procedures are in full agreement with the procedures developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for uniform and comparable reporting of dropout rates by the states.

Graduation rates for accountability can be found under the Cohort Graduation Rate: www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2644
Source: www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1

11 Facts About High School Dropout Rates


Welcome to DoSomething.org, one of the largest orgs for young people and social change! After you've browsed the 11 facts (with citations at the bottom), take action and volunteer with our millions of members. Sign up for a campaign and make the world suck less.

1. Every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone. That’s a student every 26 seconds – or 7,000 a day.

2. About 25% of high school freshmen fail to graduate from high school on time.

3. The U.S., which had some of the highest graduation rates of any developed country, now ranks 22nd out of 27 developed countries.

4. The dropout rate has fallen 3% from 1990 to 2010 (12.1% to 7.4%).

5. The percentage of graduating Latino students has significantly increased. In 2010, 71.4% received their diploma vs. 61.4% in 2006. However, Asian-American and white students are still far more likely to graduate than Latino & African-American students.

6. A high school dropout will earn $200,000 less than a high school graduate over his lifetime. And almost a million dollars less than a college graduate.

7. In 2010, 38 states had higher graduation rates. Vermont had the highest rate, with 91.4% graduating. And Nevada had the lowest with 57.8% of students graduating.

8. Almost 2,000 high schools across the U.S. graduate less than 60% of their students.

9. These “dropout factories” account for over 50% of the students who leave school every year.

10. 1 in 6 students attend a dropout factory. 1 in 3 minority students (32%) attend a dropout factory, compared to 8% of white students.

11. In the U.S., high school dropouts commit about 75% of crimes.

Sources: www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-high-school-dropout-rates

One in 10 Schools Are 'Dropout Factories'


It's a nickname no principal could be proud of: "Dropout Factory," a high school where no more than 60 percent of the students who start as freshmen make it to their senior year. That description fits more than one in 10 high schools across America.

"If you're born in a neighborhood or town where the only high school is one where graduation is not the norm, how is this living in the land of equal opportunity?" asks Bob Balfanz, the Johns Hopkins researcher who coined the term "dropout factory."

There are about 1,700 regular or vocational high schools nationwide that fit that description, according to an analysis of Education Department data conducted by Johns Hopkins for The Associated Press. That's 12 percent of all such schools, about the same level as a decade ago.

While some of the missing students transferred, most dropped out, says Balfanz. The data look at senior classes for three years in a row to make sure local events like plant closures aren't to blame for the low retention rates.

The highest concentration of dropout factories is in large cities or high-poverty rural areas in the South and Southwest. Most have high proportions of minority students. These schools are tougher to turn around because their students face challenges well beyond the academic ones - the need to work as well as go to school, for example, or a need for social services.

Utah, which has low poverty rates and fewer minorities than most states, is the only state without a dropout factory. Florida and South Carolina have the highest percentages.

"Part of the problem we've had here is, we live in a state that culturally and traditionally has not valued a high school education," said Jim Foster, a spokesman for the South Carolina department of education. He noted that residents in that state previously could get good jobs in textile mills without a high school degree, but that those jobs are gone today.

Washington hasn't focused much attention on the problem. The No Child Left Behind Act, for example, pays much more attention to educating younger students. But that appears to be changing.

House and Senate proposals to renew the 5-year-old No Child law would give high schools more federal money and put more pressure on them to improve on graduation performance, and the Bush administration supports that idea.

The current NCLB law imposes serious consequences on schools that report low scores on math and reading tests, and this fallout can include replacement of teachers or principals - or both. But the law doesn't have the same kind of enforcement teeth when it comes to graduation rates.

Nationally, about 70 percent of U.S. students graduate on time with a regular diploma. For Hispanic and black students, the proportion drops to about half.

The legislative proposals circulating in Congress would:

Make sure schools report their graduation rates by racial, ethnic, and other subgroups and are judged on those results. That's to ensure that schools aren't just graduating white students in high numbers, but also are working to ensure that minority students get diplomas.

Get states to build data systems to keep track of students throughout their school years and more accurately measure graduation and dropout rates.

Ensure that states count graduation rates in a uniform way. States have used a variety of formulas, including counting the percentage of entering seniors who get a diploma. That measurement ignores the obvious fact that kids who drop out typically do so before their senior year.

Create strong progress goals for graduation rates and impose sanctions on schools that miss those benchmarks. Most states currently lack meaningful goals, according to The Education Trust, a nonprofit group that advocates for poor and minority children.

The current law requires testing in reading and math once in high school, and those tests take on added importance because of the serious consequences for a school of failure. Critics say that creates a perverse incentive for schools to encourage kids to drop out before they bring down a school's scores.

"The vast majority of educators do not want to push out kids, but the pressures to raise test scores above all else are intense," said Bethany Little, vice president for policy at the Alliance for Excellent Education, an advocacy group focused on high schools. "To know if a high school is doing its job, we need to consider test scores and graduation rates equally."

Little said some students pushed out of high schools are encouraged to enroll in programs that prepare them to take the GED exam. People who pass that test get certificates indicating they have high-school level academic skills. But the research shows that getting a GED doesn't lead to the kind of job or college success associated with a regular diploma.

Loretta Singletary, 17, enrolled in a GED program after dropping out of a Washington, D.C. high school that she describes as huge, chaotic and violent. "Girls got jumped. Boys got jumped, teachers (were) fighting and hitting students," she said.

She said teachers had low expectations for students, which led to dull classes. "They were teaching me stuff I already knew ... basic nouns, simple adjectives."

Singletary said a subject she loved was science but she wasn't offered it, and complaints to administrators went unanswered. "I was interested in experiments," she said. "I didn't have science in 9th or 10th grade."

A GED classmate of Singletary's is 23-year-old Dontike Miller, who attended and left two D.C. high schools on the dropout factory list. Miller was brought up by a single mother who used drugs, and he says teachers and counselors seemed oblivious to what was going on in his life.

He would have liked for someone to sit him down and say, "'You really need to go to class. We're going to work with you. We're going to help you'," Miller said. Instead,"I had nobody."

Teachers and administrators at Baltimore Talent Development High School, where 90 percent of kids are on track toward graduating on time, are working hard to make sure students don't have an experience like Miller's.

The school, which sits in the middle of a high-crime, impoverished neighborhood two miles west of downtown Baltimore, was founded by Balfanz and others four years ago as a laboratory for getting kids out on time with a diploma and ready for college.

Teachers, students and administrators at the school know each other well.

"I know teachers that have knocked on people's doors. They want us to succeed," 12th-grader Jasmine Coleman said during a lunchtime chat in the cafeteria.

Fellow senior Victoria Haynes says she likes the way the school organizes teachers in teams of four, with each team of teachers assigned to a group of 75 students. The teachers work across subject areas, meaning English and math teachers, for example, collaborate on lessons and discuss individual students' needs.

"They all concentrate on what's best for us together," Haynes said. "It's very family oriented. We feel really close to them."

Teachers, too, say it works.

"I know the students a lot better, because I know the teachers who teach them," said 10th-grade English teacher Jenni Williams. "Everyone's on the same page, so it's not like you're alone in your mission."

That mission can be daunting. The majority of students who enter Baltimore Talent Development in ninth grade are reading at a fifth- or sixth-grade level.

To get caught up, students have 80-minute lessons in reading and math, instead of the typical 45 minutes. They also get additional time with specialists if needed.

The fact that kids are entering high schools with such poor literacy skills raises questions about how much catch-up work high schools can be expected to do and whether more pressure should be placed on middle schools and even elementary schools, say some high-school principals.

"We're at the end of the process," says Mel Riddile, principal of T.C. Williams High School, a large public school in Alexandria, Va. "People don't walk into 9th grade and suddenly have a reading problem."

Other challenges to high schools come from outside the school system. In high-poverty districts, some students believe it's more important to work than to stay in school, or they are lured away by gang activity or other kinds of peer or family pressure.

At Baltimore Talent Development, administrators try to set mini-milestones and celebrations for students so they stay motivated. These include more fashionable uniforms with each promotion to the next grade, pins for completing special programs and pizza parties to celebrate good attendance records.

"The kids are just starved for recognition and attention. Little social rewards matter to them," said Balfanz.

Balfanz says, however, that students understand the biggest reward they can collect is the piece of paper handed to them on graduation day.

Without it, "there's not much work for you anymore," he said. "There's no way out of the cycle of poverty if you don't have a high school diploma."
Source: Nancy Zuckerbrod, news.aol.com/story/ar/_a/one-in-10-schools-are-dropout-factories/20071029143809990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

7 Jobs That Will Be Gone in 10 Years


Things change — be it due to technology advancing, an influx of cheap or foreign labor due to globalization or shifting immigration patterns, or even just a change in consumer tastes. Yet, despite the fact that many industries and jobs seemed doomed to the dust bins of history in the near future, many Americans remain stuck in a sort of denial — seemingly oblivious to the fact that they’re due for replacement. It’s strange and interesting, even when we should be looking forward to automation and robots taking the reins from humans to take care of certain jobs for us.

Jobs, businesses, and industries come and go with time. A very small few tend to survive through the generations, and it’s unlikely that even some of the biggest names in business today will make it to the next century. Things change, economies evolve. There’s not much you can do about it.

And when that happens, the jobs change too. It’s not easy to tell which jobs are on the endangered species list, but by looking at the numbers, we can get an idea.

By looking at employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics related to job growth and decline, we were able to pinpoint a handful of jobs that are sharply and rapidly shrinking — and which may be almost completely gone within the next decade. Of course, these jobs will probably always exist in some fashion (we even have horse and buggies to this day), their roles are quickly diminishing. So, they might not be fields you want to try to break into.

Here are seven jobs that might be gone in a decade.

1. Drivers - The world will always have drivers of some sort, and we’ll probably still be driving in 10 years. But the writing is on the wall, and there are a lot of resources being dedicated to handing over the wheel to automation. Self-driving cars are only a few years away, and when the switch happens, it’s not just our own personal vehicles which will be autonomous — it’s Uber vehicles, long-haul eighteen wheelers, public buses…everything, really.

2. Farmers - Not all farmers will disappear within 10 years, but as we’ve seen over the past couple of generations, their role will diminish. At one time, most Americans were farmers. Now, there are only 2.2 million across the country. And it’s a shrinking field. Technology is making it easier for fewer people to produce more yield, and it’s likely that indoor farms, and even lab-grown meats, will start spiking in popularity. The new batch of farmers may resemble scientists and biologists more than anything.

3. Postal workers - The number of postal workers is dwindling, and there are numerous reasons for that. Private companies are taking on some of the burden — like UPS, FedEx, and others. But like many other entries on this list, technology is the main culprit. Mail carriers can’t deliver an email for you, after all, and as the mail system’s facilities become more automated and technologically capable, fewer people are going to be needed to run them. Postal workers have been pegged as America’s fastest-disappearing job.

4. Broadcasters - In an age when Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite have been replaced with Wolf Blitzer and Brian Williams, many people have already labeled broadcast journalism as dead. Of course, this is another industry that won’t disappear completely, but it is shrinking, meaning that the few positions that are out there will become even more competitive. Generally, broadcast news reporters don’t make much money, either. It’s a hard job, that pays relatively little, and requires long hours.

5. Jewelers - What can you blame for the shrinking of the American jewelry industry? Mostly, it’s due to globalization. There will always be local jewelers, but most jewelry manufacturing has moved overseas to contain costs. According to the BLS, there aren’t even that many jewelers left in the U.S. — around 33,000 or so. And that number is set to drop another 11% in the next eight years.

6. Fishermen - Professional fishermen face threats to their jobs on all fronts. The technology is clearly getting better, meaning that fewer people are required to run an operation. But imports of seafood and farm-raised fish are becoming more popular, and cheaper. There’s also the issue of overfishing to take into consideration and the fact that climate change is having a big effect on marine life, and stocks of available fish.

7. Printers and publishers - Publishing and printing, at least in the old-fashioned sense on a desktop, is an endangered industry. Technology has brought it to the digital realm, and we’ve seen the aftermath in declining newspaper readership, and the rise in the popularity of ebooks. We’ll always publish books and periodicals, but the folks who have been trained in the old ways of producing them are likely to find themselves out of a job in the near future.
Source: www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/7-jobs-that-will-be-gone-in-10-years.html/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_1039351

These 10 jobs are facing extinction


New technology, automation and changing business trends and consumer habits are driving significant job losses in some industries. As the job market evolves, some once-thriving professions are disappearing.

CareerCast recently examined data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as its own online jobs database, to identify the 10 most endangered jobs of 2016.

With an anticipated 28 percent decline in employment by 2024, mail carriers top the list of dying jobs. Although many Americans communicate these days by email and text instead of snail mail (the U.S. Postal Service), CareerCast says the mail carrier field has another formidable foe.

"The bigger impact on the postal field's hiring outlook for the future is the automation of sorting and processing," says Kyle Kensing, CareerCast online content editor, in a press release.

According to CareerCast, these are the 10 most endangered occupations in the U.S. (and their outlook through 2024):

1. Mail carrier: 28 percent decline
2. Typist/Word processor: 18 percent decline
3. Meter reader: 15 percent decline
4. Disc jockey: 11 percent decline
5. Jeweler: 11 percent decline
6. Insurance underwriter: 9 percent decline
7. Seamstress/tailor: 9 percent decline
8. Broadcaster: 9 percent decline
9. Newspaper reporter: 8 percent decline
10. Computer programmer: 8 percent decline

Source: www.aol.com/article/finance/2016/12/16/these-10-jobs-are-facing-extinction/21629476/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_1351163&ncid=txtlnkusaolp00001361

10 Jobs That Will Be Hiring Like Crazy in 2017


The job market goes up and down, and sometimes it can be difficult to predict which fields are going to do well, and which will see little or no job growth at all. The minimum wage debate has been monopolizing much of the news coverage lately, and there are still several jobs that don’t even pay minimum wage. Thankfully, some of these jobs pay fairly well once you count tips, but not all of them are going to see continued job growth.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released information on the 20 occupations with the biggest change of employment between 2014 and 2024. Looking for a job in one of these fields or occupations is a great idea if you are hoping to change fields, have a potentially more stable job with a positive future outlook, or you want to know where to look for abundant jobs.

The occupations included in the Bureau of Labor Statistics list vary greatly when it comes to the field that they fall under, so there are opportunities for many different kinds of positions, from wind turbine service technicians to personal financial advisors. Some positions require little education or training, and some require a Master’s or even a doctoral degree.

Here are 10 of the jobs that you can bet will be abundant next year.

1. Wind turbine technicians - It’s no surprise that wind turbine technicians are at the top of this list. According to Energy.gov, the projected growth of the wind industry is 404.25 gigawatts across 48 states by 2050 (a projected increase of 180.15 GW since 2030). As a result, we will certainly need technicians to install and repair the wind turbines. If you’re comfortable working with heights, and you like to work outside, then this might be the job for you. The typical entry-level education is some college but no degree, and the median annual wage was $51,050 in May 2015. Plus, the field is growing quickly: Employment of wind turbine service technicians is projected to grow 108% from 2014 to 2024.

2. Occupational therapy assistants - If you enjoy helping people recover, or you want to help people improve their ability to work and live each day, but you don’t want to become a full occupational therapist, then becoming an assistant or aid is a possibility. Assistants and aides can help provide the therapy or give support, and work with the therapists. Therapy assistants need an associate’s degree, and may need to be licensed; aides usually have a high school diploma.

The 2015 median pay was $54,520 per year, or $26.21 per hour. Work experience in a similar field often isn’t required, and the employment change was a noteworthy 40% from 2014-2023.

3. Physical therapy assistants - Similar to occupational therapists, this is a great job for someone who likes to help others. Physical therapy assistants work directly with the therapists to help patients recover from an injury or illness. The median pay is slightly lower than it is for occupational therapy assistants and aides ($42,980 per year, or $20.66 per hour), but the employment change is also 40%. The required education is also similar.

Many people find that assistant therapy positions can be very fulfilling, and since the pay is also decent, this can be a great choice if you want a job that is projected to keep hiring.

4. Home health aides - Unfortunately, home health aides don’t get paid very much ($21,920 median per year, or $10.54 per hour), and this may cause some people to shy away from these positions. However, the work is certainly meaningful, as aides help people who have an illness, disability, or impairment. They can work with older adults, and work in the patient’s home, but can also work in a group setting or day services program.

The job outlook is 38%, which is certainly promising, but this is one job which requires you to determine whether or not taking this job would harm your budget. No formal education is required, and short-term job training is available.

5. Nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives - If you’re willing to go through some school or educational classes, you might find that it’s worth your time in order to get a job in this field. With a median pay of $104,740 per year ($50.36 per hour), these jobs certainly pay well enough for many people. The job duties for each position can vary by state and by practice, but often nurses and nurse practitioners, as well as midwives, have many varied and interesting job duties. A Master’s degree is required for these positions, but the job outlook is 31%, which is still much faster than most occupations.

6. Physical therapists - You probably noticed that physical therapist assistants are facing a strong job outlook, and physical therapists are projected to do almost as well (34%). You will need a doctoral or professional degree, but the median pay for 2015 was $84,020 or $40.40 per hour. Like the assistants, therapists help patients improve their movement, manage pain, and help prevent further issues as well. Benefits of this career include making a difference, becoming a movement expert, having job security, (potentially) loving your job, and having location flexibility and the opportunity to become an entrepreneur.

7. Statistician - Like analyzing things? Want to make $80,110 per year (or $38.51 per hour)? If you’re willing to get a Master’s degree, you won’t have to worry about work experience or on-the-job training. Statisticians are seeing a 34% job growth outlook, and enjoy using statistical analysis and methods to look over data and help fix problems. Statisticians can work in many different fields, and also many different locations. About 15% of statisticians work for the federal government, 14% are in scientific research and development services, and 13% pursue finance and insurance.

8. Operations research analyst - This is another position that requires a great deal of analysis and math. These analysts also use mathematical and analytical methods, and they focus on helping organizations handle issues and solve problems. The median pay was $78,630 per year in 2015 ($37.80 per hour), and the job outlook is 30% growth. Most operations research analysts work full-time in office settings, so if you like to sit at a desk this might be a great fit for you. However, if you are someone who likes to move around and be outside, then you might need to consider a different job.

9. Personal finance advisors - Most people want more money, right? If you choose to become a personal financial advisor, you can help people make wiser decisions when it comes to money, and hopefully provide intelligent and helpful financial advice to people from all walks of life. All you will need is a bachelor’s degree, and long-term on-the-job training is often available. The job outlook is 30%, and the median pay was $89,160 per year, and $42.86 per hour in 2015. This is also a position that can bring you to almost any city or state in the country, because financial advisors are needed everywhere.

10. Genetic counselor - If you’re willing to get a Master’s degree, becoming a genetic counselor can be an extremely interesting career, and will allow you to study DNA. The median pay in 2015 was $72,090, or $34.66 per hour, and the job outlook was 29%. Genetic counselors meet with individuals or families, and help determine the risk of inherited conditions. They also can provide information to health care providers. You may work in your own office, at a hospital, or at a doctor’s office. You will need to become certified in order to be a genetic counselor.
Source: www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/10-jobs-hiring-like-crazy-2023.html/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_1077411

15 Worst States in America to Make a Living in 2016


We all want to make a good living, but the rat race doesn’t provide the same course obstacles in every state. America’s status quo now includes a painfully obvious split economy. Some citizens are experiencing a rebound in prosperity, while others are dumbfounded by the use of “recovery” in headlines. Either way, location plays a major part in your personal finances.

The United States is a collection of mini-economies. MoneyRates.com recently analyzed every state to find where workers have the best or worst shot to make a good living, based on employment statistics and living expenses. The financial site evaluated the five key factors listed below.

  • Median wages: Median annual wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • State tax rates: MoneyRates analyzed the state tax information collected by the research group Tax Foundation.
  • Cost of living: Data was sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index.
  • The unemployment rate: Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Incidents of workplace illness, injuries, and fatalities: This workplace safety data is from the BLS, which sourced data from employer reports to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

After finishing second on the list in 2014 and first in 2015, Texas ranks as the fifth best state in 2016 to make a living. Wyoming steals the crown from the Lone Star State after finishing third last year. Washington and Virginia round out the top three. Wyoming and Washington both lack a state income tax, which boosts their rankings. Above average incomes and low cost of living is also a key component in the best ranking states. The worst states will have you reaching deep in your pockets.

Let’s take a closer look at the 15 worst states in America to make a living in 2016.

15. Connecticut - You’ll be seeing the northeast quite a bit on the list. Connecticut ranks as the No. 15 worst state to make a living. The state’s median income of $43,830 is the highest on the the list, but it’s quickly spent considering Connecticut’s cost of living index is 131.8. Furthermore, the state’s unemployment rate is relatively high. Overall, New Jersey and New Hampshire both rank better than Connecticut. On the positive, Connecticut’s work environment safety is inline with the national average.

14. Arkansas - The supposed “Land of Opportunity” does not rank favorable. Arkansas ranks as the No. 14 worst state to make a living. The state has a low cost of living, but salaries are also low. The average median income is only $29,420. In fact, Mississippi is the only state in the nation with a lower median income ($29,000). The state tax on median income comes in at $1,299, while Arkansas has a relatively low unemployment rate and a better-than-average workplace safety rating.

13. Nevada - Nevada is known for it’s dry climate and Sin City. However, it also ranks as the No. 13 worst state to make a living. Nevada doesn’t necessarily rank poorly on cost of living, taxes, or workplace safety, but the median income of $33,700 and a high unemployment rate holds Nevada back. Nevada was one of the hardest-hit states when the real estate bubble popped, and is still trying to make a full recovery. On the positive, Nevada doesn’t have a state income tax.

12. South Dakota - While it’s northern sibling ranks as one of the best states to make a living, South Dakota ranks as the No. 12 worst state to make a living. The biggest difference between North Dakota and South Dakota is income. South Dakota’s median income is only $30,780, compared to North Dakota’s median income of $38,170. South Dakota’s cost of living index is a reasonable 102.5, it’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, and there is no state tax on income.

11. New Mexico - New Mexico ranks as the No. 11 worst state to make a living. The state has a low median income of $32,320 and a high unemployment rate. On the positive, taxes on the median income come in at a decent $1,304, and workplace safety is inline with the national average. Residents looking for more favorable conditions may want to check out neighboring states Texas and Colorado, which both rank in the top 10 best states to make a living.

10. Rhode Island - Rhode Island continues to find itself as one of the worst states in America to make a living, ranking No. 10 on the list in 2016. The state has a high cost of living that is typical for the northeast. Rhode Island also has a higher-than-average unemployment rate. On a positive note, the median income of $39,050 is one of the higher amounts on the list, and the state tax on median income totals $1,464, which is significantly lower than New York and Maine.

9. South Carolina - South Carolina managed to stay off the 10 worst list last year, but ranks No. 9 in 2016. The state suffers from low median income and high unemployment, two dangerous financial situations for any household. State income taxes are also on the high side compared to other states. However, residents can take comfort in a lower than average cost of living, and a safer work environment. South Carolina only has three workplace incidents per year per 100 workers. The national average is 3.6 workplace incidents.

8. Montana - Montana ranks as the No. 8 worst state in America to make a living in 2016. Residents enjoy an average cost of living and a relatively low unemployment rate. However, the great outdoors comes at a steep price. The state median income is only $31,970, one of the lowest on the list. Furthermore, Montana has the fourth-highest workplace accident incidents, with 4.6 per year per 100 workers. In comparison, Wyoming ranks as the No. 1 best state to make a living in 2016. It has a median income of $38,280, no state income tax, and only 3.7 workplace incidents per year pear 100 workers.

7. New York - After avoiding the list last year, New York ranks as the No. 7 worst state to make a living. The median income of $41,600 is one of the highest in the country. Unfortunately, New York has the second highest cost of living in the country, too. Taxes are also high as the state tax on median income totals $2,346. On the positive, workplace incidents are below the national average, and the vast amount of job opportunities and energetic environment still makes New York City one of the best cities in the world.

6. Vermont - Vermont ranks as the No. 6 worst state to make a living. The state’s median income of $37,040 is respectable, but like most of the northeastern states, its cost of living erodes the value of a dollar. Vermont’s cost of living index is 123.8, compared to 118.2 in New Hampshire and 114.7 in Maine. Vermont also has the second highest rate of work-related illnesses and injuries in the nation (5.1 per year per 100 workers). The silver lining is that Vermont has a low unemployment rate, and cheaper state income taxes than most of the states on this list.

5. California - California ranks as the No. 5 worst state to make a living. The state merely switched places with Vermont compared to last year. While California has a median income of $39,830, its cost of living index is a whopping 134.3, the third highest in the country. Making matters worse, California has relatively high unemployment, and workplace incidents are about average.

4. Maine - Maine ranks as the No. 4 worst state to make a living, which is one spot better than last year. The state is a challenging place to live. Maine has the highest rate of work-related illnesses and injuries in the nation (5.3 per year per 100 workers), and the fourth highest income tax burden. The median income is only $34,710, while the cost of living is above average. On the positive, Maine has a low unemployment rate.

3. West Virginia - West Virginia ranks as the No. 3 worst state to make a living. The state initially ranks decent in terms of cost of living and income taxes, yet its median income of $30,240 is the third lowest in the nation — if you can find a job. West Virginia also has a high unemployment rate and an above average rate of workplace incidents. By comparison, Virginia ranks as the No. 3 best state to make a living, with affordable living and an impressive median income of $38,180.

2. Oregon - Once again, Oregon finds itself as the No. 2 worst state to make a living. The state’s cost of living index is almost 30% above the national average at 129.5 (slightly higher than last year). Oregon’s median income of $37,808 does little to ease the pain of income taxes at $3,102, the highest in the nation. Residents can take comfort in a relatively average unemployment rate.

1. Hawaii - Paradise is not cheap. In fact, it comes with the biggest price tag. Hawaii ranks as the worst state in America to make a living in 2016. The state’s cost of living index is a staggering 168.6, easily the highest in the country and 68.6% above the national average. That quickly erodes the median income of $38,750, while income taxes of $2,482 on the median income only adds to the financial pressure. Aside from the beautiful surroundings, residents enjoy a low unemployment rate and an average safe workplace.
Source: www.cheatsheet.com/culture/worst-states-in-america-to-make-a-living.html/

 

All Oregon High Schools

Dropout
Grad Diplomas

Fall Enrollment
Total
Male
Female
Diplomas
Male
Female
Year
Total
Male
Female
Count
%
Total
%
Total
%
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
2009/10
178378
92158
86220
5980
3.4
3493
3.8
2487
2.9
34673
85.3
16982
82.9
17691
87.7
2008/09
179963
93300
86663
6132
3.4
2418
3.7
2714
3.1
35138
85.1
17411
83.6
17727
86.7
2007/08
182340

.

.

6678
3.7

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2006/07
182432

.

.

7621
4.2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2005/06
180524

.

.

7397
4.1

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2004/05
175501

.

.

7318

.

.

.

.

.

32588
81.7

.

.

.

.

2003/04
171732

.

.

7864
4.6

.

.

.

.

32958
80.8

.

.

.

.

2002/03
170424

.

.

7439
4.4
4159

.

3280

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2001/02
167975

.

.

8160
4.86
4482

.

3678

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2000/01
166039

.

.

8713
5.25
4760

.

3953

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1999/00
164554

.

.

10363
6.30
5671

.

4692

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Legend: * NICE Graduation Ratio SOURCE: Oregon Department of Education, Early Leaver and High School Completer Data Collections

Curry County High Schools

Brookings/Harbor High School

Dropout
Grad Diplomas

Fall Enrollment
Total
Male
Female
Diplomas
Male
Female
Year
Total
Male
Female
Count
%
Total
%
Total
%
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
2009/10
544
288
256
31
5.7
21
7.3
10
3.9
95
75.4
43
67.2
52
83.9
2008/09
560
289
271
28
5.0
20
6.9
8
3.0
119
81.0
53
72.6
66
89.2
2007/08
629

.

.

.

.2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2006/07
606

.

.

.

.2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2005/06

.

.

.

11
1.7

.

.

.

.

103
90.4

.

.

.

.

2004/05

.

.

.

16

.

.

.

.

.

106
86.9

.

.

.

.

2003/04

.

.

.

6

.

.

.

.

.

105
94.6

.

.

.

.

2002/03
576

.

.

16
2.8
9

.

7

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2001/02
590
20
3.39
10

.

10

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2000/01
587

.

.

36
6.13
19

.

17

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1999/00
606

.

.

28
4.62
15

.

13

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Legend: * NICE Graduation Ratio

Gold Beach High School

Dropout
Grad Diplomas

Fall Enrollment
Total
Male
Female
Diplomas
Male
Female
Year
Total
Male
Female
Count
%
Total
%
Total
%
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
2009/10
223
111
112
10
4.5
8
7.2
2
1.8
48
82.8
17
68.0
31
93.9
2008/09
223
113
110
2
.9
1
.9
1
.9
47
95.9
27
96.4
20
95.2
2007/08
239

.

.

.

2.5

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2006/07
239

.

.

.

.4

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2005/06

.

.

.

12
4.9

.

.

.

.

41
77.4

.

.

.

.

2004/05

.

.

.

25/0

.

.

.

.

.

29/25
53.7/?

.

.

.

.

2003/04

.

.

.

14

.

.

.

.

.

45
76.3

.

.

.

.

2002/03
257

.

.

4
1.6
*

.

*

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2001/02
274

.

.

8
2.92
*

.

*

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2000/01
257

.

.

6
2.33
3

.

3

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1999/00
275

.

.

24
8.73
16

.

18

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Legend: * NICE Graduation Ratio

Pacific High School

Dropout
Grad Diplomas

Fall Enrollment
Total
Male
Female
Diplomas
Male
Female
Year
Total
Male
Female
Count
%
Total
%
Total
%
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
Total
Ratio*
2009/10
128
75
53
7
5.5
4
5.3
3
5.7
29
80.56
17
81.0
12
80.0
2008/09
122
65
57
2
1.6
1
1.5
1
1.8
20
90.9
11
91.7
9
90.0
2007/08

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2006/07
229

.

.

.

4.0

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2005/06

.

.

.

2
1.6

.

.

.

.

24
92.3

.

.

.

.

2004/05

.

.

.

4

.

.

.

.

.

32
88.9

.

.

.

.

2003/04

.

.

.

3

.

.

.

.

.

26
89.7

.

.

.

.

2002/03
135

.

.

9
6.7
*

.

*

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2001/02
136

.

.

4
2.94
*

.

*

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2000/01
149

.

.

3
2.01
*

.

*

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1999/00
154

.

.

6
3.90
3

.

3

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Legend: * NICE Graduation Ratio
Source: www.ode.state.or.us/data/reportcard/reports.aspx

©2007-2023, www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org/dropouts.html or http://bit.ly/rygTX5
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