DROPOUTS AFFECT THE ECONOMY

While the region benefits from Southeast Missouri State University, it loses out financially from the high rate of high school dropouts.

Nearly 40 percent of the region's residents -- 25 years and older -- are high school dropouts. This disturbing number is much higher than both the statewide and national averages.

Just over 62 percent of adults have high school diplomas in the region. The statewide figure is nearly 74 percent. Nationally, just over 75 percent of adults have graduated from high school.

A study at Southeast Missouri State University looked at the economic impact of this high dropout rate. The study suggests that the loss of personal income in the 24-county region topped $428 million in 1991.

That is a startling estimate.

The loss is calculated on the difference between the statewide graduation rate and each county's graduation rate. In the 24 counties of Southeast Missouri, only Cape Girardeau matches the statewide average. In two Southeast Missouri counties, Ripley and Wayne, only 48 percent of high school students graduate.

This is not a new problem. The survey looks at residents 25 years or older. It underscores the importance of literacy efforts throughout Southeast Missouri. The study also points to the fact that this high dropout rate doesn't just affect the students. It affects all of us by the loss of earned dollars in the local economies.

Dr. Dale Nitzschke, Southeast's new president, says the university needs to work with public school districts throughout the region to keep students from dropping out. An increased university involvement with the public schools in the region can only help. A growing participation by parents, other community residents and businesses is also essential.

Many of these counties with the highest dropout rates also have high unemployment and poverty rates. Per-capita income in the region averaged less than $15,000 in 1991, compared to nearly $19,000 statewide.

Education affords a window of opportunity and earning power. Those who quit high school are losing out financially, and so is Southeast Missouri.