The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Reducing the number of high school dropouts by 50 percent can lead to tremendous economic benefits, according to a new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education.

Drawing on data from the largest 45 metropolitan areas, the report reinforces the link between education and the economy. In these areas, 39 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a standard diploma. However, if the national dropout rate were halved for just one graduating class in these areas, the new graduates could earn more than $4.1 billion in combined earnings, spend an additional $2.8 billion, and support up to 30,000 new jobs.