High dropout rates are considered what type of indicator in schools?

High dropout rates are indicative of low school performance due to several underlying factors that typically accompany this issue. When students leave school before graduation, it often reflects systemic problems such as inadequate academic support, low engagement, or insufficient resources within the educational environment. Schools with high dropout rates may struggle with fostering a nurturing and effective learning atmosphere, leading to challenges in maintaining student retention.

Furthermore, consistent trends of dropout rates can serve as a critical measure for evaluating a school's effectiveness. They often signal that the institution may not be meeting the educational needs of its students or addressing barriers that impede success, such as socio-economic challenges or lack of extracurricular opportunities. Thus, recognizing high dropout rates as a marker of low school performance is a crucial step for educators and administrators to identify areas needing improvement and to develop strategies to enhance student outcomes and school quality.