Although many people consider the national dropout rate an enormous problem, it can be difficult to get the facts. In some states, there have been persistent problems getting schools to accurately report how many students drop out. High dropout rates look bad, and when lots of students are dropping out, some schools are reluctant to tell the truth. If some school officials lack the integrity to be straightforward, how can we convince them to report the facts?

Option 1:

In a school district in Texas, about 13,500 students are enrolled in eighth grade each year, but only 8,000 students graduate from high school each year. Based on these numbers, what percentage of the district’s eighth graders do not complete high school there?

A. about 20%

B. about 35%

C. about 41%

D. about 57%

Option 2:

In the United States, there are over 1,000 high schools where fewer than 60% of students graduate. These schools are known as “dropout factories.” Half of all high school dropouts in the United States each year come from dropout factories.

a) Let x be the number of students enrolled in a high school. Write an expression that represents the minimum number of students a school can graduate before it becomes a dropout factory.

b) Can the district mentioned in Option 1 be considered a “dropout district”? Explain your answer.