A report from the Educational Testing Service revealed that little is being done to stop the ever increasing high school drop-out crisis.
In 2007 almost 6.2 million students in the United States dropped out of high school. That represents 16% of all Americans in that age range. According to a report by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and the Alternative Schools Network in Chicago, Illinois, most of the persistent dropouts were black or Latino.
The study shows "In the current global economy, having at least a high school diploma is a critical step for avoiding poverty, and a college degree is a prerequisite for a well-paying job".
The major outcome of the dropout rate is an increase in crime and in prison population. The problem is that more is being spent in keeping prisoners in jail, than is spent on educating children. For one prisoner the typical annual expense is between $20,000 - $50,000. Per year the cost of a pupil is from $7,000 - $20,000, with an average of $9,000.
Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education is endeavoring to instigate change through incentives with a $100 billion education stimulus package. Under consideration are ways that technology will help assist the efforts of teachers to individualize instruction for students, improve professional development for teachers, make the curriculum more relevant to the world today and find ways that will improve the teaching of reading.
Students require 21st century skills if they are to have any success in the world marketplace. Abilities such as collaboration, technology, computer and Internet search skills, to name just a few of the requirements. It is also thought that schools should take advantage of students’ love of social networks, mobile devices and collaborative writing tools, such as blogs, to promote learning.
Lesser Developed Nations of the South Pacific, such as the tropical island of Vanuatu, not only have neither compulsory nor free education. Numerous children are not able to complete their high school education because they do not have the capacity to raise the necessary funds.
A Guinness World Record challenge will be held on November 19th, in an attempt to raise public awareness, as well as raise funds to assist top students to remain in school.
Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation provide high school education grants for children who are without hope. You can help in this really great project by taking a few minutes to check it the Tropical Island Treasure Chest at Win a Resort (http://winaresort.com) It really will change your life.
Feel free to contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org
