I'm not sure I like Obama's call to "encourage" states to ban high school drop outs

[bluestateguy]

First the feds start "encouraging" states to do something, then a few years down the road it turns into a de facto requirement, as in: do this, or no federal money. Like the feds already do with the drinking age and highway money.

The feds are already poking their noses too much into K-12 education as it is. NCLB, RTT, testing mandates, abstinence only sex ed mandates, and more.

The way to encourage kids to stay in school is responsible parenting and campaigns by non-profit, non-governmental entities

And furthermore, there are just some teenagers for whom school is just not their bag. They will simply fail out or become truants if they only stay in school because the government says they have too. In school they could become a disruptive presence to the students who do want to learn. Only overly idealistic educators would say that you can reach everyone.

[JSnuffy]

1. Agreed...

You can't save everyone and that even assumes that education is the way that everyone "should" go...

[OhioChick]

2. I see what you're saying....

I'm not quite sure how I feel about Obama's thoughts on this issue, either.

For example, I do know of a few kids that did drop out of high school to go to work to help their families out with financial difficulties.

Granted, education is very important, however what do struggling families do when they need the kid's help for much-needed extra income to make ends meet? (Food, shelter, etc.)

[Nikia]

12. If they drop out, they'll never have a chance to make much more than they make when they drop out

If a family has raised them for 14-16 years without having much income generated, they can wait another few years of them only working part time. If a teenager does not buy a car, there is nothing that magically makes them more expensive at 16 and they are still considered dependents just like other children.
Not graduating from high school dooms one to being poor since almost every business only hires adults who are graduates. This isn't 50 years ago where you could get a decent factory job without a diploma.

[jberryhill]

3. I was curious about that too

Without appropriate resources for those with severe behavioral problems, then this could raise problems. Of course, expulsion is an option.

[Motown_Johnny]

4. I am sure I do like it

We need to consider high school graduation as a minimum. I agree that parents and non-government entities have a role to play but the government should be singing the same tune.

[Happyhippychick]

8. Me too. If its compulsory through age 16, make it compulsory through age 18.

This one is a no-brainer

[qanda]

5. How would they enforce it, by sending the offenders to jail?

That will work well!

[FarLeftFist]

7. Parents should be the ones enforcing it.

[FarLeftFist]

6. 22 states already have this law on the books.

[handmade34]

9. I did most of my teaching

at schools for "at-risk" students... the students I worked with benefitted greatly from staying in school until they graduated... the federal government can ease up on the testing mandates and abstinence only requirements but I fully support banning "drop-outs"

This could mean alternative schools, apprenticeship programs, restructuring, expanding offerings to our young people and many other "outside the box" ideas...

[TheKentuckian]

10. They can drop out at 18 but we should end the practice of letting minors opt out.

Any argument that applies to a 16 or 17 year olds would apply to 14 and 15 year olds.

[gratuitous]

11. The question is . . .

Will we spend the money it will take to bring our educational system into the 21st century, hire and retain the best teachers by paying them what they're worth, and bring our school buildings into modernity? We have an uphill battle on all of that, not least among folks who can't understand why schools need anything more than a clean chalkboard and an ample supply of chalk.

[w8liftinglady]

13. I live in a state with a 68% graduation rate.

unfortunately, we have privatized all the programs that used to be taught as "trade" courses in public schools.Students used to be able to graduate with a high school degree and a trade- auto repair,plumbing, cosmetology,cooking etc,etc- some people ARE more mechanically gifted than others.My uncle learned how to be a plumber in high school,my cousin was an apprentice electrician. Both obtained UNION jobs after high school and went on to support families....and put their kids through college.
In Texas,these are all privatised.Even when a person DOES "graduate" from a program,they are non-union jobs at poor wages. We have destroyed all motivation.