How to Prevent Rising High School Dropout Rates

There are many reasons why kids drop out of high school; for the purpose of research, it is wise to interview these students (if possible) just as we interview employees for their reasons for leaving a job (exit interviews).

These interviews would be very interesting and can aid in research to keep other students from dropping out of high school. We need more input from students regarding what is important for them to learn in order to function productively in today's society.

An article on "The Silent Epidemic" cites some dropout statistics may be questionable. Exaggerations of high school graduations are done to undermine efforts to improve educational issues and for overall ratings (grades) given to schools based on the number of graduates. (Statistics and Facts about High School Dropout Rates, 2007).

The article above cites statistics on high school dropout rates as follows:

Nearly one-third of all public high school students-and nearly one half of all African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans-fail to graduate from public high school with their class

Dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, on public assistance, and single parents with children who drop out of high school

Dropouts are more than eight times as likely to be in jail or prison as high school graduates

The dropout problem is likely to increase substantially through 2020 unless significant improvements are made

We can help prevent high school dropouts by changing the curriculum and making more courses optional. I asked 10 high school and dropout students, who lost interest in the courses offered, a few history questions. I was not surprised by their lack of knowledge.

Very few students knew about the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam and how the veterans were greeted upon returning, the importance of voting, the Watergate investigation, black history facts, Desert Storm, reasons for each war after World War ll, etc. We know who discovered America but is it that important to remember the date?

Many high schools offer the same curriculums for over 25 years. We should honor the ancestors of our country but this information is rarely useful in the real world.

Having our young students remember dates before 1960 was more important for our parents but not for our teens. An excellent study course is to have students research and chart out (neatly on poster board) their family tree, listing some significant dates that coincides with relative history. Deceased relatives will have the date and cause of death posted.

This is more interesting for students who otherwise would not research their heredity. It is important to know the health histories of relatives as current relatives may exhibit early warnings signs that leads to diagnoses and curative treatments.

We should offer more reality courses such as conflict resolution, sex and pregnancy, substance abuse and effects on body systems, finances and budgeting, how to buy a home, their constitutional rights, parenting classes, among other important tenets. These courses are more useful when entering the adult world.

It is worrisome that our society does not invest enough money in the education of our kids; there should never be a budget cut in our public schools from kindergarten to the graduation from high school.

More worrisome is when colleges (paid tuition institutions) receive bestowments from philanthropists while money is needed in our public schools.

If we pay public educators what they deserve, they will invest more into assuring each student receive a proper education. In a high morality environment, this will also decrease or prevent high school dropout. If the teachers are not interested in educating the students, students will lose interest in learning.

Our kids are having babies without proper teaching on how to care for them, especially on how to soothe the crying baby. Males are more than likely to abuse and kill a crying baby by striking, throwing, and shaking.

I like the idea of allowing teens (especially males) to care for an interactive doll baby overnight then sharing their experiences and solutions to any problems such as consistent crying, with the class.

No one should receive government's benefits until the completion of a government sponsored parenting course.

Other methods we can utilize to prevent high school dropout among our youngsters includes:

Mentoring a student

Offer internships and/or work study programs at a place of business

Encourage learning and be held accountable for their disruptive behaviors

Offer opportunities to learn based on their best method of learning. For example, some students need visual stimuli, verbal teaching, or demonstration, etc. If my nephew is given a book of instructions he just sits and stares, he learns best by demonstration in a classroom environment. I earned by bachelors degree after 2 ½ years online, not everyone is disciplined in this manner.

Stop so much homework--this is their time for recreation

Involve parents--volunteer teacher aides

Duel enrollment to a local college if desired

Keep an environment that is conducive to learning

Know the signs of learning disorders (such as dyslexia) and make appropriate consultations

Another important issue is the student who exhibits poor vision or hearing, usually the teacher is the first to notice. Until these problems are addressed by parents, seat the child closer to the front of the class

Recognize students who may suffer all types of abuses while not in school

Know that many students act out because of behavioral issues, have programs set up at school that deal with all of these issues

Send instructors to schools with lower dropout rates to learn different methods to keep students in school and willing to learn

Give students an outlet for expenditures of energy. Instead of homeroom, recess or physical education, have talent shows such as for dancers, singers, and comedians. Many kids play enough at home, parents should encourage at least 1 hour of outside activities instead of video games.

Involve students in the teaching process; give topics for them to research then to share with the class for a 15 minute period, encourage others to participate

Try verbal or written book, movie, game reviews

There are many methods utilized to prevent or decrease the rates of high school dropouts. We need more time and money invested in our public school systems in order to implement programs based on our student needs. Changing the curriculum and making some courses optional would help students maintain the willingness to stay in school and learn.

Make school interesting by allowing students to teach students on a topic he must research briefly rehearse with you then give 15 minutes to share with class. Do something different, anything that will prevent the rising statistics of high school dropouts.

Reference

The Silent Epidemic: Statistics and Facts About High School Drop Out Rates. 2007.
www.silentepidemic.epidemic/statistics-facts.htm