High School Drop-out Rate for Cleft Palate Patients

Abstract

A major topic of discussion in the United States, both in lay and professional circles, relates to the drop—out rate among high school students. It has become the focus of considerable investigation and, ostensibly, preventive and rehabilitative planning. Some of the personal and social implications of this problem have been well documented; much remains to be known and done, however, before any basic or long-term changes can be anticipated. Children with congenital clefts present problems of cosmetic disorder and communication dysfunction operating against a varying psycho-social background of individual personality, family patterns, and community structure. This study was designed to obtain information about the following questions. What is the high school drop—out rate for cleft palate patients in the late adolescent and early adult age group? How does this compare with the high school drop-out rate of their non-affected siblings and with the state and national rates? Is there any systematic relationship between drop—out rate and the severity of the cleft palate syndrome?