Staying in School Has Lifelong Benefits

	Auburn, Oct. 10, 2002---Dropping out of high school puts individuals at a disadvantage for life.  
Leaving school without a diploma usually means leaving school without the basic skills needed to get and 
keep a job. 
	The foundation or basic skills are no longer limited to reading, writing and arithmetic, says Dr. 
Jacquelyn P. Robinson, a workforce development specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension 
System.
	"In today's high-performance, high-tech workplace, employers want workers who have a strong 
foundation in basic literacy and computational skills.  Individuals who do not have the skills necessary to 
perform complex tasking and who are not dependable will not be hired for jobs today or tomorrow," 
Robinson says.
	Basic academic skills are essential for high job performance.  Workers should have the ability and 
desire to learn and willingness to listen and follow instructions.
	Having good higher-order thinking skills is more important that having good academic skills, says 
Robinson.  The ability to think, reason and make sound decisions is crucial for employees.  A person who 
can think critically, act logically, and evaluate situations to make decisions and solve problems is a 
valuable asset to any employer.
	The most important skills wanted by employers are good personal qualities.  Most companies 
have difficulty effectively utilizing workers lacking personal skills.  Workers with desirable personal traits 
are those who take their job seriously, come to work on time and dress appropriately every day.  They 
deal with others honestly and openly, displaying respect for themselves, their coworkers and their 
supervisors.  
	Teens completing high school also have greater lifelong earning potential than do their 
counterparts who do not graduate, says Robinson.
	Those who finish high school can expect to earn an average annual income of $26,000. Those 
who do not complete high school can expect to earn around $19,700 or less.  This amount is roughly only 
three-fourths the income of those with a high school diploma. 
	A person's lifelong earning potential rises in proportion to the level of education completed.  In 
addition to making more money, a person can also get into the work force quicker and have a greater 
chance of succeeding. The unemployment rate declines as the level of education increases.
	People with higher levels of education find it easier to get and keep a job for two main reasons, 
says Robinson.  "One, they have better job skills, including reading, writing, math, communications and 
problem solving, and two, they have a good work ethic and a good attitude."