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Shocking Education Statistics
I have always been outspoken about the importance of a good education. So, I was shocked when I heard the new statistics: nearly one in three public high school students in the United States won't graduate. If you break down the statistics for Latinos and African-Americans, the numbers are even worse. The dropout rate is nearly 50 percent. That's unbelievable!
Although more optimistic researchers say these percentages are somewhat inflated, the truth is that the dropout rate for American high school students is unacceptably high. A technologically advanced nation with our resources should work toward achieving a 100 percent graduation rate.
Look at the consequences for those who drop out. Not having a high school diploma almost always guarantees a lifetime of low wages. In addition, there's an increased chance that the dropout will spend some time behind bars and, unfortunately, there's a very high likelihood that the children of these dropouts will also end up dropping out of school.
We need to end this epidemic now. Some towns are asking businesses to stop tempting high school kids with full-time jobs. Others are offering students incentives if they wait to graduate before taking a job. Good for them.
I hope it works. Nothing is more important than a good education. If we don't succeed in educating all of the nation's youth, our economy, our security, even our very democracy is threatened.
Although more optimistic researchers say these percentages are somewhat inflated, the truth is that the dropout rate for American high school students is unacceptably high. A technologically advanced nation with our resources should work toward achieving a 100 percent graduation rate.
Look at the consequences for those who drop out. Not having a high school diploma almost always guarantees a lifetime of low wages. In addition, there's an increased chance that the dropout will spend some time behind bars and, unfortunately, there's a very high likelihood that the children of these dropouts will also end up dropping out of school.
We need to end this epidemic now. Some towns are asking businesses to stop tempting high school kids with full-time jobs. Others are offering students incentives if they wait to graduate before taking a job. Good for them.
I hope it works. Nothing is more important than a good education. If we don't succeed in educating all of the nation's youth, our economy, our security, even our very democracy is threatened.
