Should schools be held accountable for drop outs?

burniegoeasily · 10-12-2006, 02:03 PM

One of the things a school is graded on is how many drop outs they have. Since a school can not raise a kid, and make them do anything, let alone go to school, why are they held accountable. Shouldnt that be more of a parental accountabilityissue.

North Texan · 10-12-2006, 03:33 PM

If schools had a little more control, maybe. But as it is now, blaming dropouts on schools is like blaming immigration on Native Americans.

Strut&Rut · 10-12-2006, 06:38 PM

Held accountable? Probably not how I would phrase the question, but addresses an important issue, one of graduation rates.

This has evolved into the NCAA DI system, for establishing those silly little numbers which will eventually determine the number of scholarships granted by the NCAA. In college sports, I believe graduation rates are directly proportional to that athletic program, the AD, and the coach. Calhoun and Auremmia are both Hall of Fame coaches, and Geno is twice the academic steward of old Jimbo. Not only do Calhoun's graduation rates suck, even when he was at Northeastern, but look at the number of crimes committed by his players...I'm sure you guys get the picture

Whereas I'm not sure you can hold a HS "accountable", there are numerous studies which have analyzed HS and college graduation rate, and found a direct correlation between higher grad rates directly equals increased alumni success.

Now, can you hold the school "entirely" accountable---no. However, remember that school is just not about the students and teachers. School is about the learning atmosphere, the extracurricular activities, and the physical environment. You could stick the best teachers in the world into the middle of the Bronx, and I guarantee the best graduation rate achieved would be 75%.

So yes, I believe a school should be judged by graduation rate, but that doesn't necessarily reflect back on the teachers, or even the administration. BUT, I would say it does clearly emphasize characteristics about the surrounding community, and probably also indicates a few mis-guided priorities set by either the school board or the community leaders..[&o]

kevin1 · 10-12-2006, 10:41 PM

The only ones who should be held accountable are the students themselves , they're the ones dropping out . Everyone else is trying to help them succeed , they're the ones giving up .

Tazman · 10-13-2006, 05:23 AM

Good night man, don't you know the last thing we want is personal responsibility!!!

Kids are not to be held responsible for anything, even an over due library book!

A parents only responsibilty is to sue any one who attempts to hold thier child responsible for their actions!

No schools should not be held accountable for drop outs, the drop out and thier parents should be.

But then again we have a lot of folks out there who feel that personal responsibilty is a very bad thing, it is far better to blame and sue others for your indescretions then to accept personal responsibilty!

Strut&Rut · 10-13-2006, 03:54 PM

And ya' see, this is the other side of the problem coin...

You can not completely blame either the student and parents, or the school and the teacher.

Both sides should be held accountable for every student that does not WANT to graduate. Either the 'parenting' aspect of being a parent was ignored, AND/OR the school did not give a rat's ass about another "bad" student.

This is not a black/white issue. As I eluded to in my earlier post...you don't want to blame the school, fine. But just realize, when you have children and move into a town, you can immediately get a feeling for the success of the school board by the annual graduation rates. It really is that simple.

Whether it's the parents that live in the community, the teacher, the school board or the combination of all 3, one thing is for certain: some communities have it, others do not.

BenGarrett · 10-13-2006, 04:45 PM

S&R, I agree. . .

Chuck7 · 10-14-2006, 01:40 AM

Good question Burnie,

I have an observation. In the elementry school I teach at ,here are a few things I must adhere to...

2 hours of reading daily
1 hour of math
30 minutes of science
1 hour of writing
35 minutes of specials
25 min. of lunch
15 min. break
Spelling is for homework Mon-Thurs.
NO parties, No movies, No jeans, Can't give kids any sodas or candy.
No busy work...ALL DIRECT TEACHING

My son Aaron is in HighSchool. Presently they are the #1 Football Team in the USA Lakeland Dreadnaughts
They watch PG 13 movies about twice a week.
He has never had homework.
Teacher plays rap music throughout the day.
He is in a special Emotionally Handicapped classroom...however; our elementary students have the same stardardsfor EVERY child.

Yes ,...there needs to be more accountability in the academics regarding thehigh risk students in high school. In this particuliar school as long as the football team is winning ..don't rock the boat.When learning is going on, behaviors diminish. That is a proven fact. I've taught special ed. highschool students. They are tough ...but they can still learn.

In summary,
Schools should not be accountable for the drop outs but the academics for high risk students should be no different than the strict guide lines I must follow. If rigerous learning is going on you will have fewer drop outs.
Mr. Borden

Rebel Hog · 10-14-2006, 03:05 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: burniegoeasily

Should that be more of a parental accountabilityissue.

Totally Agree! I remember when I was in school, I wasn't scared of the police or the school system! I was scared of my Old Man and therefore I graduated from high school.

kevin1 · 10-14-2006, 06:44 AM

At the end of the day it's the students themselves that are wholly responsible for their actions and no one else . Dropping out is a conscious choice .