Dropout rates can underestimate the loss of students during high-school years. Attrition rates measure percentage of freshmen that do not enroll as seniors. San Joaquin Valley students staying in school as often as students across California. Madera and Stanislaus counties considerably reduce high school attrition rates. Madera high schools credit relatively small enrollment, close attention to students and 'career school' model for decrease in attrition.
Valley continues to fall behind state in preparing students for college.
The first step in workforce development is education. Ongoing research on unemployment in the Valley shows that those without a high school education are highly susceptible to seasonal layoffs. Also, the skill level of workers will have a huge impact on their earning potential. In order to ensure that Valley workers are able to gain meaningful employment and enjoy a high quality of life it is imperative to keep children in school through the 12 th grade and give them the ability to participate in higher education. High school dropout rates can often be misleading.