THE list is so long. Teen pregnancy. Bullies. Physical and emotional abuse. Drugs. Alcohol. Violence. Jail. Boredom. Academic struggles.
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These are the troubles that stare high school students in the face every day. Is it any wonder that education drops so far on their priority list that thousands stop bothering with school?
The state listed a 3.2 percent dropout rate for the 2006-07 school year, the most recent year for which data are available. At first glance, that doesn’t sound too bad. But consider this:
→ That 3.2 percent represents nearly 6,300 high school students who left without graduating during that single school year.
→ The figure doesn’t include the 616 seventh- and eighth-grade students also recorded as dropouts.
→ More than half of dropouts were identified as economically disadvantaged, and more than 1,000 had a disability.
→ Even education officials acknowledge dropout numbers are typically underreported. Schools self-report the data, and there’s no reliable system to keep track of students.
In recent months, Tulsa and Oklahoma City each have played host to dropout summits as part of a national effort to draw more attention to the staggering dropout figures. The discussions were telling and powerful. But were the right people listening?
The problem is most acute in those inner cities. Many of the brightest students from financially stable families move to the suburbs or end up in private schools. That leaves traditional schools with a tough lot. Even the most motivated students with big dreams have mountains of challenges to overcome.
Individual schools throughout the state have adopted preventive strategies. Alternative schools are a way to draw dropouts back in, but there aren’t enough slots to serve all students.
School officials tend to talk a good game about the dropout numbers. They wax philosophical about needing to help students stay on track. And we have tough new graduation requirements designed to prepare students for life behind high school. But what good does it do if they don’t show up? Reality is while people talk about dropouts and the consequences, there’s been no statewide urgency to tackle this vexing and complicated issue.
From an economic and moral standpoint, the state can ill afford to watch thousands of students become undereducated adults without doing more to stem the crisis. Inaction will cost us for generations to come. Over the next few days, we’ll introduce you to a drop-out, take a further look at what students are saying about the dropout problem and why the state needs more than a lip-service solution. We invite you to share your thoughts via e-mail to cwatson@opubco.com.
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I wonder how many of those drop outs had drop outs for parents? That might be a very enlightening figure indeed. I know that Oklahoma has a functional illiteracy rate of 18% (thats almost 1 in 5); illiteracy breeds its own social problems which just sets up their offspring if there isnt a parallel nurturing system in place (other literate and caring relatives, community organizations, teachers, etc. who reach out) but nurturing is a full time and extremely time consuming process. Many well meaning folks dont have the stones for nurturing other people's children; they are not psychologically or tempermentally suited to the task. To break out of this cycle it takes consistent, meaningful, and effective nurturing on a sustainable basis and that absolutely costs money and lots of it. Heck, it would be easier to buy everyone car insurance (about 1 in 4 or 25%oklahomans dont have that either) than provide nurturing. 3 guesses which one the state would prefer to pony up for (if faced with an either or scenario).
JT, the only people in the school system incapable of becoming tenured are principals. In the majority of cases the actual amount of money spent on administrator salaries is less than 1% of the school budget where the teaching faculty in most schools makes up somewhere around 79% all the way up to 85%. Do you want to send your child to a school that is just ran by teachers? Someone has to be in charge.
Cheryl: You didn't say when you dropped out, but it is never too late to drop back-in again. Without the minimum of a high school education (or the equivalent) your chances of getting any sort of decent job and making a living wage is greatly reduced.
I am not saying it is going to be easy, but sometimes we as individuals have to do what we need to do to survive and excel (within the law of course). If you haven't run into it yet, there will be bullies and peer pressure out there in the "real world" too. There are going to be jobs that you may be qualified for (but again, without the basic education...) but you don't get because the other applicant weighs less or dresses better (or whatever the superficial reason is).
Some of those things you can change, some you can't. Of those things you can't change, you have to have something that makes you better. Sad fact is, we do live in a very youth and looks society. Studies have shown that the "pretty" people get hired more often and make more money than those that aren't. Tall people make more than short people. Men make more than women. Etc, etc.
Not trying to sound all "Dear Abby" on you, and not saying it is all your fault (sounds like there may be medical reasons with the depression) but in a large sense, we are only victims if we choose to be.
The only person you ended up hurting by dropping out was yourself. Do you think those bullies and the girls who wore the expensive clothes cared? Those people are so wrapped up in themselves they just moved on to their next target (so they could feel better about themselves).
Lanny, I can't believe I am saying this considering how we have sparred in the past, but I agree with you. Cheryl, while I sympathize with your plight, your parents, the parents of those bullying you along with the teachers should all have noticed what was going on and taken care of the situation.
It still goes back to parents more than anyone else, parents of the bullies for example. I am sorry you were bullied but one must learn to endure sometime in life. Help should have been there for you to find too.
So much I could say on this topic but there's not enough room or time. I am a Del City dropout. Pregnancy, drugs &/or my parents were not why I quit. I quit because of the bullies & peer pressure. I was overweight & didn't wear the expensive clothes the other girls did. I suffered depression greatly. I can't believe the teachers didn't see what was happening. I do believe they had favorite students & turned blind eyes. Talking to the kids who are dropping out today may open a lot of your eyes. You should try it.
Blaming teachers and administrators for all kids success at school is like blaming the OHP Troopers for drunk drivers. Kids make choices and parents are more important than the school staff. If one doesn't like lawmen or roads or judges can they get a voucher and pick private cops, private roads and private courts in lieu of public ones? I think not, get real.
Kurt, that was well said. Mike, I wish they would stop giving Superintendents and Principals higher wages, while classroom teachers and classroom budgets don't match what's going on for today's needs. We need to hold Supers and Principals just as accountable as teachers, not to mention parents. Parents must shoulder the most blame, instead of this blaming public figures for everything wrong with their children. Parents, parents, parents - has to start with the parents, no excuses.
Basic education can be taught in any environment. It only takes a truly caring and committed person to provide for the needs of one or a few. The social challenges in many schools have become too great a risk and undesirable for some.
Now consider the obvious global message that the American work force has increasingly become an undesirable resource. Even the most uneducated can understand this fundamental problem and since "it rolls down hill" they become most affected by it. Opportunity? Private industry (at least) began a trend a long time ago to operate outside of the US and diminish workforce opportunity. The snowball is only larger now and unfortunately so is the US population. *But isn't this by design?*
The challenge of successful education will only be supported when the real need for it exists. As a *consumer nation* on the global smorgasbord it doesn't make much sense for our country to be educated. But until our leadership finally decides to again invest in our country and not itself and other countries, education will remain a dependent sacrificial pawn.
Meanwhile, parents, do all you can for your children and don't rely on others to set nor achieve your goals. If you have no goals for your children then I'm sorry you took the time to read this. The parent must create the need for education. School is not a social event nor a convenient place to put your child. Its a place to learn.
With all things exists is an element of risk. Manage the risk carefully. Watch closely and guide your children properly while they are young. Do not encourage, accept nor allow deceptive and destructive social trends. Be involved with your child in your educational venue.
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I am not saying it is going to be easy, but sometimes we as individuals have to do what we need to do to survive and excel (within the law of course). If you haven't run into it yet, there will be bullies and peer pressure out there in the "real world" too. There are going to be jobs that you may be qualified for (but again, without the basic education...) but you don't get because the other applicant weighs less or dresses better (or whatever the superficial reason is).
Some of those things you can change, some you can't. Of those things you can't change, you have to have something that makes you better. Sad fact is, we do live in a very youth and looks society. Studies have shown that the "pretty" people get hired more often and make more money than those that aren't. Tall people make more than short people. Men make more than women. Etc, etc.
Not trying to sound all "Dear Abby" on you, and not saying it is all your fault (sounds like there may be medical reasons with the depression) but in a large sense, we are only victims if we choose to be.
The only person you ended up hurting by dropping out was yourself. Do you think those bullies and the girls who wore the expensive clothes cared? Those people are so wrapped up in themselves they just moved on to their next target (so they could feel better about themselves).
Now consider the obvious global message that the American work force has increasingly become an undesirable resource. Even the most uneducated can understand this fundamental problem and since "it rolls down hill" they become most affected by it. Opportunity? Private industry (at least) began a trend a long time ago to operate outside of the US and diminish workforce opportunity. The snowball is only larger now and unfortunately so is the US population. *But isn't this by design?*
The challenge of successful education will only be supported when the real need for it exists. As a *consumer nation* on the global smorgasbord it doesn't make much sense for our country to be educated. But until our leadership finally decides to again invest in our country and not itself and other countries, education will remain a dependent sacrificial pawn.
Meanwhile, parents, do all you can for your children and don't rely on others to set nor achieve your goals. If you have no goals for your children then I'm sorry you took the time to read this. The parent must create the need for education. School is not a social event nor a convenient place to put your child. Its a place to learn.
With all things exists is an element of risk. Manage the risk carefully. Watch closely and guide your children properly while they are young. Do not encourage, accept nor allow deceptive and destructive social trends. Be involved with your child in your educational venue.