High School Dropout Problem “About Class and Race,” Says Summit Participant
WASHINGTON, D.C.
With only half of minority students graduating high school on time, U.S. secondary schools need more funding, rigor and accountability to address the “silent epidemic” of school dropouts, national and community activists said at a special Washington, D.C., conference Wednesday.
http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_7317.shtml
May 10th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I totally agree with the noted comments here. The lack of qualified personnel and the lack of educational environments that are challenging, relevant, and supportive are needed in these large urban schools that have become dropout factories. Minority students are neither incabable or learning nor want to dropout of school . Rather, high expectations and the opportunity and supports to learn must be in place. I would also like to emphasize that the extra billion dollars in Title 1 monies should go directly schools with high dropout rates to support school improvement activities in elementary and middle grades(e,g., professional development for teachers to implementation of evidence-based practices;increasing FTE of highly qualified teachers in these schools to provide instruction). Greater accountability for student outcomes in these schools are also needed.
It is to be noted that while uniform definitions of graduation and dropout are badly needed- we must not forget that “a child has never learned by being tested” effective instruction matters!!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
The suggestions made here are quite good; but I would like to suggest that school systems have “Beginner Schools ” for those children who do not read or write in their native language. Since leaving full-time teaching in 1972, I have been “subbing” in high schools . I am forever amazed that seventeen and eighteen year olds from other countries often have never been in school before coming to America ! If we only had a high school dedicated to teaching those who have never been taught before, the drop out rate would be decreased , I believe.