Set Our Teachers FREE!

A couple days ago, I told you about the massive increase in dropouts in North Carolina. You may remember that I told you their selected solution was to ask their General Assembly to raise the dropout age from 16 to 18. Talk about a bandaid!

Anyway, after further research I am amazed to tell you that 27 states and the District of Columbia already have their dropout age raised to 18! Has it helped stop students dropping out. NO! NO! NO!

This is simply another indication that major reform is needed in our public schools. The average dropout rate ACROSS THE NATION is one in three. Hispanic and African-American dropout rates average at 50%.

These figures are terrible, but what is worse is that an overhaul of our public schools is being resisted by the establishment. President Bush in his last State of the Union Address, and Senator Ted Kennedy, both bragged about how much NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND has helped education. Again I say, NO! NO! NO!

Is NCLB stemming the rising tide of dropouts? NO! NO! NO!

Is raising the legal age for dropping out causing the numbers to decrease? NO! NO! NO!

Is anybody listening? NO! NO! NO!

Looks like we’re going to have to fight the problem together - parents, teachers and taxpayers. You and me.

Brennan

Filed under: Education News