Students of color in Illinois are dropping out of school at an alarming rate compared to their white counterparts, according to a new study commissioned by the Chicago Alternative Schools Network

The study reveals that nearly a quarter of all drop outs are Hispanic, followed by blacks. It also found that males are more likely to quit school than females. Researchers say that those who dropped out of school experience a higher poverty rate, higher unemployment rate, lower annual earnings, lower marriage rate and are jailed more frequently.