High school Dropout: A Silent Epidemic

In this paper I will analyze three key factors that affect our nation’s dropout rate. First I will look at the media and the influence it has over our children, and the social effects that is producing .Is it realistic that a sixteen year old, walks around with a $1,500 purse? Is the perception that our children our getting from reality shows realistic ? Second I will look at the G.E.D. and district requirements for high school drop out. Are these requirements to lenient? Is the G.E.D. part of the cause fro this silent epidemic ? Finally I will look at our nations low income families. What roles are minorities playing in this silent epidemic ? Is our school system doing everything it can to involve the parents in their child’s educational choices?


" The best predictor of occupational prestige is the amount of education one
acquires. Financial compensation is usually greater for occupations that require more
ears of education. "( Gollnick & Chinn, p. 91) High School student today are not
focusing on secondary education. Bombarded by the media with reality television, where
sixteen year olds are making millions of dollars a year. Why would they want to dedicate
six years of their life to education? The media paints them such a pretty and achievable
dream, a dream that requires little to no education. A dream that is based on looks, name
brands and fancy cars. Occupational prestige for high school students, has nothing to do
with a respectable profession. They perceive young Hollywood stars and reality
television stars, with higher occupational prestige than doctors or lawyers.


The high school equivalency test, also known as the G.E.D, empowers
students to drop out of high school. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling
states: “ One reason that the high school drop out crisis is known as the “silent epidemic”
is that the problem is frequently masked or minimized by inconsistent and opaque data
reporting systems. For example, in some districts, a student who leaves school is counted
as a drop out only if he or she is registered as one. In others, a dropout’s promise to get a G.E.D. at an unspecified future date is good enough to merit “graduate” status.” High School student today feel little pressure to graduate, our educational system makes it
extremely easy for these students to drop out of school.


Poverty is another key factor affecting our dropout rates, lower income families
live in such strenuous conditions; living them with no choice but to go to work instead of
school. “Persons in poverty are more likely no to have graduated from high school. Students of color drop out of school in greater proportions than white students, limiting their income potential. Dropout rates are also related to family income. High school graduation rates range from 69% for those from families earning less than $36,539 annually to 93% for those from families earning more than 98, 434.” (Family Income and Higher education Opportunity, 2006) (Gollnick & Chinn P.104) In this country the minority groups, represents more than half of the low income families. The parents of these students, have received little education them selves. Often dealing with a language barrier, these parents feel lost when dealing with their child’s education. As an educator and a single parent, I am aware of the role that I play in my child’s education. I’m also aware that the fact that I am a learner and an educator, facilitates this role for me. To have the resources, it’s just not enough. These parents, need to become aware of the resources, and ways that they can tap in to these resources. Our school system should develop more social activities, as a means for these parents to become involve in their child’s education.
A survey conducted by the Silent Epidemic Organization states: “ Nearly 70 percent of students said that they were not motivated to work hard and two- thirds would have worked harder if more were demanded of them. Approximately one-third left for personal reasons (to get a job, become a parent, or care for family members) and one-third cited failing in school as a major factor. 70 percent were confident they could have graduated, including a majority with low GPAS. More than 80 percent said their chances of staying in school would have increased if classes were more interesting and provided real-world learning. The majority said that higher expectations from teachers and parents and improved supervision would have helped keep them in school.” This survey serves as proof that our school curriculum needs to be revised and transformed to a more current curriculum. It also supports that parents and educators need to work together, and that our expectations need to be higher.

In conclusion the number of teenagers dropping out of high school, is the
highest is ever been in America. Teenagers are dropping out of school to pursue dreams
of fame, fast money and fancy cars. Today’s culture puts a higher weight on fame and the
fast life, than on education. “ Seventeen of the public school systems in 50 major cities
have graduation rates of 50 percent or lower, and the average graduation rate of all 50
systems is 58 percent. The findings are based on the federal Department of Education
statistics for the 2003-2004 school year .” ( Barry Grey 2008, Inteldaily.com) We are all
aware that money makes the world go around. But, are we aware as a country, that
money holds a higher value to our teenagers than education?





References:

Gollnick, D.M & Chinn, P.C., 2009, Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic

Society Eight Edition. Pearson education Inc.

Margaret Spelling, 2008, Press Release, U.S. Department of Education:
Promoting Educational Excellence for all Americans.

Silent Epidemic Organization, Why students drop out, silentepidemic.org

Grey, B., 2008, High school drop-out rate in major US cities at nearly 50

percent. Inteldaily.com