U.S. status dropout rate for 16- to 24-year-olds in 2023. NCES reported about 2.023 million status dropouts in that age group.
Support Partners
Education changes long-term opportunity.
UASIST encourages community leaders, families, and partners to support young people with educational resources and positive opportunities.
Education and opportunity
Federal data provide important context
Educational attainment is closely associated with employment and earnings outcomes across the United States.
Median usual weekly earnings in 2025 for full-time wage and salary workers age 25+ with less than a high school diploma, compared with $966 for high school graduates.
2025 unemployment rate for workers age 25+ with less than a high school diploma, compared with 4.3% for high school graduates and 2.8% for bachelor’s degree holders.
These figures are population-level measures and do not determine any individual student’s outcome. They do, however, show a strong association between educational attainment and labor-market outcomes.
Sources
- National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, Table 219.80, “Total number of 16- to 24-year-old high school dropouts … 2013 through 2023.” View NCES source. The table was prepared in October 2024 and reports 2023 data.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Education pays,” 2025 data for workers age 25 and over. View BLS source. The 2025 annual estimates are 11-month averages because October 2025 data were not collected during the federal government shutdown.
Community support matters
UASIST’s mission is centered on helping reduce educational and socio-economic barriers and supporting the children, families, schools, and communities involved in a young person’s development.
Help UASIST continue its work
Support youth education and enrichment
Donations support the Special Needs Students Self Esteem Program and field trips. Donations also support the “Don't Stop the Music in Our Schools” campaign to help purchase music equipment for disadvantaged schools whose students cannot afford monthly equipment rental costs.
Your contribution can help reduce equipment rental costs passed on to students participating in arts and music programs.
Checks or money orders may be sent to Universal Assistance Stay in School Team Inc., 845#A Park Place, Conyers, GA 30012.
