Panel Told That Graduating Students Helps Economy

Tuesday, October 30th 2007, 10:26 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Officials from the State Commerce Department and state schools have told a state Senate study panel that the more Oklahoma students graduate from high school, the more the state's economy benefits.

State Commerce Department data shows students who earn a diploma typically obtain better-paying jobs, and because of that pay more in state taxes.

Deidre Myers, the department's director of research, also says that because those students usually have better health habits and are less likely to land in jail, the state saves money related to those areas.

The state Senate panel is focusing on ways to convince students to stay in school and reduce the dropout rate.

Myers says her data shows that Oklahoma ranked 33rd nationally in the percentage of people 25 and older with a high school diploma or its equivalent, at 84.3%. Minnesota tops the list at 90.7%.

If Oklahoma could match Minnesota, she says annual earnings in the state would increase by $830 million and result in about $76 million more in annual state tax revenues.