Increasing Numbers of Students Dropping Out of High School

According to the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), every twenty-six seconds, a student drops out of high school in the United States. That's around 6,500 kids lost every school day!

Reasons range from teen pregnancies to being bored with studies to the inability to pass the required state test in order to be eligible to receive a high school diploma.

In Florida alone, the dropout figure was an astonishing 424,000 young people in 2007 (Northeastern University, Boston, May 2009). I'm not about to break this figure down per county, because my point is not to do the typical bashing of local school districts. No, I happen to believe that our schools are made up of dedicated, hard-working educators. And I'm also not against the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test); it is a vital tool for determining what the learning needs of our students are.

Right now, however, there are teachers who are on pins and needles waiting the FCAT numbers are about to be released. And there are administrators who will not finalize the school's master schedules for the next , until they receive those test results.

Worse-there are students who are thinking of dropping out of school if they find out they had not passed this test.

When students drop out of high school, our country suffers. How? Through increased incarceration numbers, lower earning potential, worse mental and physical health, and higher death rates (ASCD). And who do you think ends up caring for the malfeasance? We all do.

We have a problem in education, and it's not going to be fixed by more testing or by boosting standards higher. Until we realize that our student population is diverse in language and learning abilities...until we keep them interested in real world subjects that go beyond academics...and until we provide these kids with great adult role models (teachers, mentors, coaches, etc.), we'll continue to see less smiling faces on stages during the next graduation ceremonies.

*Teri Pinney, author of "The Missing Heart: Chronicles of an Educator", [http://www.themissingheart.com]

Work For High School Dropouts - No Experience Needed!

Are you a high school drop out or know someone who's having a hard time finding a great income? The great thing is that you can start now and to find a job online that will suit your financial and even psychological needs!

What are some online jobs for high school drop outs? Depending on your regular skill level, there may be jobs perfectly suitable. The internet is a different type of world. It's not about all of your educational accomplishments, but what you have done.

Do you have an artistic talent? There may be people on the internet looking for drawings of specific things or good logo design. Do you like photography? There are people willing to pay for regular pictures of everyday objects - people are currently making money taking pictures of regular everyday objects.

Maybe you have the ability to type extremely fast. The great thing is that there are data entry jobs on the internet where you simply type and enter data - people on the internet definitely make tons of money through data entry and it can help your income dramatically!

Paid Surveys

Paid surveys are one of the oldest and most legitimate opportunities on the internet to begin making money online. There are people increasing their full-time income dramatically with this opportunity, so why not start now and try to make as much money from paid surveys?

They are also very easy to fill out, people are not needed to have any professional skills or advanced education, it's as easy as clicking a bubble, repeating, and submitting it for cash! So you can make money - you just have to make sure that you are starting today!

Make$ 500 to $3500 per month from home. Paid surveys are a great opportunity for anybody who wants that sorely needed second income. Let's be honest, the day job simply does not pay enough! Paid surveys can help you buy those extra things in life that are so hard to get. Learn how you can receive tons of paid survey opportunity by visiting: http://paidsurveyuniverse.blogspot.com/

The Mythology of the Impoverished High School Dropout and Other Misconceptions

Introduction

The typical high dropout is not poor.

Review the statistical report of the performance of schools statewide and review the economic status of the students who dropout and you will find that the ratio of poverty to discontinuance from school is not as highly correlated as the ratio of race/ethnicity to dropout.

The typical dropout is not a minority.

Numerically, the typical high school dropout is a non minority who is not poor.

Minority governed schools do not assure that minority students will thrive there.

Some charters which are created expressly to show that minority governed schools will be more successful because of the race or ethnicity of the school leaders in relation to students have proven to be unsuccessful in student retention or academic achievement.

The truth is the unengaged student will disengage in a school environment that does not positively engage with the educational attainment of each and every student.

On the surface, minority students in predominantly white schools will attain greater levels of retention to graduation, as well, as proficient academic attainment. What would make this so? What is in the culture of some schools and districts that make the success quotient higher when the quotient is not being driven by wealth or affluence or race?

A truth

Effective Administrative and Classroom Leadership are Great Myth Busters

Clearly, there is superior educational leadership in the culture. There is a sound instructional staff. The administration and the classroom leaders facilitate the level of attainment represented in the positive statistical data. The data displaces mythology related to graduation rates, dropout rates and standardized tests performance.

Readers may want specifics to a greater extent. The reality is that success is homegrown. The best answers are found within the environment that seeks growth and improvement for its students. It is the school staff and community that govern the success of students. Parents are as a chorus to the sermon of the school culture. They can connect with the school leadership - administrative and classroom staff and students to create the mythology busting tapestry of effective schools.

Delia Armstrong Busby is an award winning educator and former school board member. Contact at rubusy1@comcast.net

Increasing High School Dropouts

The occurrence of school dropouts is rapidly increasing according to the government of United States. The US government is finding alternatives to stay away from these circumstances. They are taking preventive measures to stop this increasing rate. School dropouts are not a very good mark for their countries progress.

increase in the dropout would indicate an increase in rate of citizens who are not fit for the jobs. Wearing a graduation gowns for middle school graduation ceremony is a sign for the growth on the country. To stop this problem, the government is searching for the diverse factors that cause high school students dropouts. Here are several issues that influence middle school students to end up leaving their schools.

· Bad influence peers are one of the main reasons for the dropouts for the students. Students are being prejudiced by bad persons to do illegal act and to engage in drug addiction. A lot of teenagers nowadays are taking drugs without knowing the dreadful effect it can do to their health as well as life. It can seriously affect their health and can result in a emotional or even psychiatric difficulty.

· Teenagers, particularly girls are connected in premarital sex. They fail to finish their graduation because of premature pregnancy. Lack of supervision about sex causes to premature pregnancy and high school dropouts.

· Alcohol or alcoholism is an addiction that can cause to high school dropout. Teenagers who undergo from this type of addiction depart from their schools. Alcohol is the main problem of society these days even well-known celebrities are a victim of alcoholism.

· Financial problem can also cause the increase in middle school dropouts. Students with a financial problem depart from their elementary school with graduating by wearing graduation gowns. Students who did not finish their graduation are given lower salary in comparison to high school students who is graduated.

All of these issues are increasing in the school dropouts. The government is taking some measures to assist those school students to be able to finish their study. They are thinking about the long term solution to the problem. This solution can save their society from being filed with high school dropouts.

Is It Worthwhile to Earn a Cheap Online High School Diploma?

We have to accept the real fact that our job market is getting more and more competitive especially during the recession. In today's business world, it is indeed hard for a high school dropout to get a good job if he or she doesn't have a high school diploma on hand.

What can be done to improve a person's marketability?

I would suggest him or her to pursue a high school diploma program or undergo vocational training. Now, there is one issue you need to consider carefully. How much are you willing to invest in your education? What kind of certificate are you looking for?

In general, different colleges or universities offer diploma programs at different costs. Some of us should be aware that online programs are much cheaper than offline programs. The students who undergo online courses are not required to attend classes in the campuses. They just need to have a fast speed computer and proper internet connection at home. By having these 2 important tools, they can complete their entire diploma program smoothly without attending classes at the campuses every day.

When you are in the midst of selecting the school, you will notice that some schools are offering extremely low course fees while others are offering higher study fees. How should you make your decision correctly? Is it worthwhile for you to earn a cheap online high school diploma? During economy downturn, cost saving is always our main concern. However, this practice must not be applied in your education. Low cost diploma courses are not your best choice. You must take the following points as your main consideration:

• Is the school genuine?

It is very important for you to look for schools which offer accredited diploma programs. If the programs offered by the schools are not accredited and not recognized regionally, no matter how cheap the courses are, you should stay away from these schools.

• Is the school reputable?

A good rule of thumb you must keep in mind - never take up a cheap diploma program if the reputation of the education provider is bad. Some online schools are scams. They totally do not respond after receiving your money. They don't provide any modules for the students. Since they do not have any physical campus, you may not be able to contact them at all. It is a waste of money because you don't even gain any new knowledge or skill. On the other hand, some schools do not run away the money but their certificates are not recognized at all by the employers in the market. How do you expect to get a high paid job with this qualification?

• What course are you looking for?

You are reminded to choose the diploma program which you are really interested in. Determine which field you would like to join. Don't just simply choose the course which costs you the least. The course might not be suitable for you.

To sum up, you must make sure that you spend your time to do thorough research before taking up any online high school diploma.

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3 Tips on How to Earn High School Diploma From Top Online Schools

Nowadays, there are many online education providers who offer online high school diploma programs for working adults in United States. Some schools are accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and they are genuine. However, some are not recognized at all by the employers in the job market. Hence, choosing the right online school is important because you need to make sure that you are able to obtain a recognized diploma from the particular school.

Being the high school dropout, it is actually important for you to consider taking up a diploma course to upgrade yourself. Without a diploma qualification, you will have lesser job options and it is hard for you to obtain a well-paying job. On the other hand, being a diploma holder, your employability in the job market will be increased. When you are in the midst of searching for an online school, you are advised to be smart. You need to be careful in your selection. You must make sure that you really can acquire new knowledge and skills from the school. If not, it is just wasting your time and money to enroll in a diploma program.

Let me share with you some useful tips on how to obtain your high school diploma from the top online schools.

First thing first, you are advised to short list a few regionally accredited online colleges. If you have no idea which to choose, you are recommended to look for the United States Department of Education for help. Go to the official website to get the database of the colleges and universities. Check the detailed information related to the education providers by browsing through their websites one by one.

After you have chosen your school, you should then proceed to find out the entry requirements set by the school. Some schools are very lenient. They only need the applicants to write an essay about themselves and the main reason to pursue a diploma program. Some online schools require their applicants to go through an entrance assessment. There are also schools which require the applicants to provide their SAT/AP scores. Seriously speaking, in order to enter into the reputable schools, it will be good if you can get your current employer to write a letter of recommendation for you. It will increase your chances to graduate from a famous school.

It is important for you to make sure that you fulfill the requirements set before you proceed to apply for admission. Besides that, you need to find out whether you can afford to pay for the course fees as well as the tutorial fees. If your budget is limited, you are advised to find out whether the school offers any financial aid or scholarship for students in need. If you don't fulfill the requirements set for financial assistance, you should take fast action to apply for study loan.

Looking forward to becoming the graduate from a reputable online school? You are advised to follow the tips stated above. Wish you all the best!

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Philadelphia Schools Partner With the Community College of Philadelphia to Aid High School Dropouts

Dropout rates across the country have been on the rise over the past decade. In school year 2004-2005, an estimated 5,550 students dropped out of the schools in Philadelphia. This is the highest dropout rate in the state, about three times higher than the state average.

To assist these Philadelphia schools dropouts and offer them an opportunity for a better life, the Philadelphia schools have partnered with the Community College of Philadelphia, the largest degree-granting institution in the city with over 38,000 students enrolled annually.

According to a report by the American Youth Policy Forum, 75 percent of the inmates housed at our state prisons are dropouts, and 59 percent of the federal prison population are dropouts. Though the Philadelphia schools already have programs in place to aid students currently in school, they knew that more had to be done to aid those who had already dropped out.

Part of the Gateway to College Program, the Philadelphia dropouts begin school in the fall of 2006. The program offers dropouts the chance to simultaneously work toward a diploma and associate's college degree or certificate.

The college expects to enroll 360 Philadelphia dropouts over the next three years. The dropouts must be between the ages of 16 and 20, with at least an eighth grade reading level. They can attend day, evening and weekend classes at the college, with their first semester in small learning groups of 20 students. Classes include the basics of reading, writing and math, as well as a college survival course to help them be successful in their future college courses and a two-hour academic lab each week.

Dedicated academic coordinators act as advisors, mentors and coaches for the Philadelphia schools dropouts. They also assist with student needs issues, such as course selection, time management, and study habits. After the first semester, the Philadelphia schools dropouts take classes with the college's general student population.

The Gateway to College Program was developed by the Portland Community College and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its partners -- Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The plan is to replicate the program at 17 colleges nationwide by 2007. Philadelphia is its largest urban center to participate to date.

The Community College of Philadelphia was granted $10.25 million over a seven-year period, of which $350,000 is slated for planning and startup for the first three years. Remaining monies and in-kind services will come from the college and the Philadelphia schools.

The new program expands options for vulnerable youth, who were left behind by the Philadelphia schools traditional system. These are youth who often have been written off as failures by teachers, administrators, and parents. This is their second chance.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information on Philadelphia schools visit Philadelphia School Rankings and Public School Rankings