NC high school dropout rate rises

The high school dropout rate increased for the first time in eight years, according to a new report from the state Department of Public Instruction.

The 2014-15 dropout rate was 2.39 percent, up from 2.28 percent the previous year. The dropout rate increased across all racial and ethnic groups, except for Asian students.

As in previous years, the top reasons for dropping out were “attendance” and enrollment in community college. Attendance is cited as the reason when “the student dropped out due to excessive absences that caused the student to become ineligible or in jeopardy of becoming ineligible to receive course credits,” according to the report.

For the first time in four years, the number of students dropping out to enroll in community college increased.

Dropout rates declined in Wake and Durham counties, but increased in Johnston County, according to the report.

Statewide, students drop out most frequently in 10th grade.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "NC high school dropout rate rises."