WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Nearly 6.2 million students in the United States between the ages of 16 and 24 in 2007 dropped out of high school , fueling what a report released Tuesday called `` a persistent high school dropout crisis . '' A new report on high school dropouts in the United States calls for a national re-enrollment strategy . The total represents 16 percent of all people in the United States in that age range in 2007 . Most of the dropouts were Latino or black , according to a report by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston , Massachusetts , and the Alternative Schools Network in Chicago , Illinois . `` Because of the widespread , pressing nature of the crisis and the large numbers of young people who have already dropped out , a national re-enrollment strategy should be a fundamental part of America 's national education agenda , '' the report says . However , the report notes , the `` absence of new funding at the federal and state level since the 1980s has led to decades of disinvestment in re-enrollment programs across the country . '' Despite the funding cutbacks , there have been re-enrollment successes nationally and in a number of cities including Chicago ; Los Angeles , California ; Milwaukee , Wisconsin ; and Portland , Oregon , the report says . `` These programs have found that young people who have left high school before earning a diploma are not dead-end dropouts , but often are in fact students waiting and looking for opportunities to re-enroll and finish high school , '' the study says . `` The most successful programs are small ( 80-150 students ) , offering comprehensive after-school and summer activities , led by experienced principals and teachers , focused on learning in the real world , well-funded with local school site program and fiscal control , and track specific , measurable outcomes for student achievement including skill gains , enrollment , attendance , credit gains , promotions and graduations . '' Jesse Williams , 22 , was one of those dropouts who is now working on her degree . She said a street shooting in which one friend died and two were wounded was the start of her losing interest in school . `` My junior year I dropped out , '' she said at a summit in Washington on Tuesday . `` Too much gang violence , teachers discriminating because of the color of my skin , or where I come from . '' Now re-enrolled in a Chicago school dedicated to bringing dropouts back to education , Williams said , `` They help me in my classwork . I have a mentor that checks up on me monthly . She goes to my house , sees if there 's anything that I need . '' Researchers for the study analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Surveys , household data from the Current Population Survey , national data on GED certificate awards and other official sources to examine the problem at the national level and in the nation 's 12 largest states : California , Florida , Georgia , Illinois , Michigan , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Texas and Virginia . Men and blacks and Hispanics of both genders are among those particularly prone to dropping out of high school . `` As these data show , this dropout crisis is disproportionately affecting America 's communities of color , '' said Marc Morial , president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League . `` Youth from all communities deserve an equal chance at educational success . '' Among the findings in the report , `` Left Behind in America : The Nation 's Dropout Crisis : '' The dropout situation at the state level was similarly widespread : . The report emphasized the importance of having at least a high school education . `` In the current global economy , having at least a high school diploma is a critical step for avoiding poverty , and a college degree is a prerequisite for a well-paying job , '' the study says . `` The costs of dropping out of high school today are substantial and have risen over time , especially for young men , who find it almost impossible to earn an adequate income to take care of themselves and their families . '' The report goes on to note : `` Americans without a high school diploma have considerably lower earning power and job opportunities in today 's workforce . Over a working lifetime from ages 18-64 , high school dropouts are estimated to earn $ 400,000 less than those that graduated from high school . For males , the lifetime earnings loss is nearly $ 485,000 and exceeds $ 500,000 in many large states . Due to their lower lifetime earnings and other sources of market incomes , dropouts will contribute far less in federal , state and local taxes than they will receive in cash benefits , in-kind transfers and correctional costs . Over their lifetimes , this will impose a net fiscal burden on the rest of society . `` By contrast , adults with high school diplomas contribute major fiscal benefits to the country over their lifetime . The combined lifetime fiscal benefits -- including the payment of payroll , federal , and state income taxes -- - could amount to more than $ 250,000 per graduated student . Such a public fiscal benefit more than outweighs the estimated cost of enrolling a student who has dropped out . ''
Newly released study examines rates of high school dropouts . The findings are based on a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2008 and 2009. Urban League head : crisis hitting `` America 's communities of color '' Report also emphasizes importance of obtaining high school diploma .