ANNUAL DROPOUT RATE (PRIOR YEAR): The total number of students who dropped out in grades 7–12 expressed as a percent of the total number of students in membership at any time in grades 7–12. The TEA “recovers” and deletes from the numerator many students who are erroneously reported by districts, such as students who have transferred to another district, or students who have received their GED (General Education Development) certificate.