Teen mothers at risk for high school failure during the first postpartum year

Teen mothers have a high rate of school dropout. Identifying factors placing them at risk during their first year postpartum may allow interventions to increase graduation rates.

Analysis of data from participants in a RCT to reduce repeat teen pregnancy in Washington DC will compare baseline report on teen mothers with their status one year postpartum. Teens who continue to progress toward high school completion will be compared to those who fail to progress or drop out. African American and Latina mothers (n=139), ages 15-19, delivering a first child, were interviewed prenatally, postpartum and one year postpartum. Measures of cognitive ability, future orientation, problem behaviors, and mother's education were analyzed.

Most teens (78%) progressed one grade level by postpartum year. Teens who did not progress were more likely to be older (17.7 years vs. 17.1 years, p=.01), not attending school while pregnant (39% v 19%, OR 2.62, CI 1.1-6.2), moved frequently (55% v 32%, OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.1-5.7) and reported postpartum alcohol use (26% v 10%, OR3.1, CI 1.1-8.5). Seasonal variations were identified. Teens who delivered in summer were less likely to progress a grade level (39% v 18%). Working outside the home (39%) or having low educational aspirations (19%) was not related to educational progress.

Completion of high school is an important attainment for parenting teens. Intervention efforts should target girls who left school before or while they became pregnant and to those who delivered during the summer. Ongoing use of alcohol postpartum may jeopardize school progress.