Operation Graduation

Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson emphasizes that improving high school graduation rates and reducing truancy is key to crime prevention. In partnership with local agencies, the Prosecutor's Office launched the Operation Graduation initiative on January 1, 2013. This program aims to quickly identify truant students and leverage community resources to address the issue.

Key Facts on Truancy and Its Consequences

Truancy is linked to significant long-term issues. High school dropouts face higher death rates, poorer mental health, and an increased risk of personal injury compared to graduates. On average, dropouts live 9.2 years less than graduates and earn approximately $260,000 less over their lifetimes.

Dropouts also have a higher likelihood of early parenthood, increased divorce rates, and incarceration, with around 75% of state inmates being high school dropouts. Education costs about $9,644 per student annually, compared to $22,600 to house an inmate.

Improving graduation rates could save billions in social services and health care costs. For instance, a 5% increase in graduation rates for boys could save $4.9 billion annually in crime-related expenses. Truancy is a significant risk factor for issues like substance abuse and delinquency.

Overall, truancy leads to long-term negative effects on employment, mental health, and societal costs, highlighting the urgent need for truancy reduction initiatives.