High School Graduation Rates Plummet

I haven't read all of this yet, but this is one of the factors that contributes to my "doom and gloom" feeling. American society is, I fear, on the verge of collapse. Our economy is based on "consumerism" not manufacturing or anything high tech, or anything "real" (it's based on make money, spend money, and have nothing real to show for it in the end). Our education system is failing our children (this topic), and we have massive debt at all levels (from government down to personal debt).

I can't figure out what is holding this system up!

FOXNews.com - High School Graduation Rates Plummet Below 50 Percent in Some U.S. Cities - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News