The Influence of High School Dropout and School Disengagement on the Risk of School-Age Pregnancy

Data from the US National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 were used to model the influence of dropping out of school on school-age pregnancy. This cohort, in grade 8 in 1988, was reinterviewed in 1990, 1992, and 1994. 822 teens (13.3%)--20.1% of Hispanics, 10.1% of Whites, and 25.1% of Blacks--in this cohort had school-age pregnancies leading to live births and 60% of these teens dropped out at some point between grades 8-12. 28.2% dropped out before pregnancy and an additional 30.3% left school after pregnancy. A significantly higher proportion of Hispanic teens than White and Black teens dropped out at any point (68.7%, 59.6%, and 50.3%, respectively). 47.6% of Hispanic dropouts, 33.0% of Black dropouts, and 34.3% of White dropouts had subsequent teen pregnancies. In a proportional hazards model, prior high school dropout status had a significant effect on the risk of school-age pregnancy among Hispanic and White teens, after controlling for family, individual, and school and classroom characteristics. Prior dropout status was not significantly related to the risk of pregnancy among Black teens, however. Overall, these findings suggest that part of the reason that teen mothers ultimately have lower educational levels may be due to their disengagement from school prior to pregnancy. Teen pregnancy prevention programs should consider the role of schools in helping adolescents to develop future aspirations and motivation to avoid early pregnancy.