Great article. I think you guys write some of the best thorough analysis of poverty and its causes.

Very good,
Corin

One in four eh?

Hm. Scary. Very very scary.
I think that people should be able to leave. I stayed until Year 12, and now I'm studying at the University of Queensland, trying to get a degree in Biotechnology. I think I made the right decision for "me".

Although it is true that a 15 year old will generally end up with a higher salary if he/she stays in school, a desk job or the job of a scientist might not be what people want. Some people enjoy working with their hands, in a craft shop or a car shop, or what have you. As long as they understand (and many of them don't) what they are leaving behind when they leave in year 10, and as long as they remain dedicated to getting the job they want, all the best to them!

Andrew and Chris are probably right about 'reluctant stayers' increasing their earnings. It is reasonable to assume that many of the reluctant stayers were not and are not good students. The sort of student that many teachers give a sigh of relief when they leave. The 'reluctant stayers' diverts resources from the happy stayer. It is possible that the 'reluctant stayers' reduce the future earnings of other students with whom they have to share a class? I also suspect that those most likely to suffer are working class students in socially deprived areas. High quality teachers are less likely to want to teach classes containing 'reluctant stayers' and 'reluctant stayers' take teacher time away from other students. The 'reluctant stayer' may get an increase in future earnings but that increase may be paid for by the reduced future earnings of working class 'happy stayers'—it may not be worth the price.