Final answer:
The claim that about 25% of American children do not graduate high school in four years is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that about 25% of American children do not graduate from high school in four years is false. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2019, just over 90% of the population aged 25 and over in the United States had a high school diploma. This indicates that the majority of Americans do finish high school, although not necessarily within the traditional four-year timeframe.
Moreover, the statistics highlight that while a significant portion of the population completes high school, only 36% of those aged 25 and over had a bachelor's or higher degree, and only 13.5% had earned a master's or higher degree.
These figures suggest that while high school completion rates are high, the transition to higher education – such as obtaining a bachelor's or master’s degree – is less common, potentially due to various barriers such as affordability, the need for qualified teachers, and overcrowded classrooms.