The process of delving into the dropout crisis has forced me to really dig for data. The fact that numerical data tends to be scewed and obscured also corresponds to a general lack of willingness for institutions to draw attention to their own problems. With federal standards and punitive measures, schools seem to be pressed to find ways to work the system rather than with the system. Hopefully this changes
There is wide recognition of the fact that community involvement is required to address this issue. Students can only be engaged by schools that meet them where they are and of which they feel a part.
I have noted a strong correlation between socioeconomic status (ok, I haven’t personally noted it, but I’ve absorbed it via numerous reports) and tendency to dropout of high school. This poverty and lack of resources is a fact of life in Newark, as noted by the reports that we’ve read on the Newark demographic studies.
Several schools in Newark have been described as “dropout factories”. I found it difficult to locate much more detail on that, which may mean I need to dig deeper, or it may not be there to be found. Again, this issue is not one that schools like to broadcast. It is not good for the school or, unfortunately, the students.
On Friday I dropped by the New Jersey Graduation Campaign forum to see if I could accumulate any information. I ended up with a wealth of internet sites, and have begun extending my research on the “Silent Epidemic.” Also helpful are the types of information that is considered relevant to learning about communities.
Schools are not designed to meet the varying needs of students in urban areas, especially those who desperately need help. So far, nebulous ideas of more community involvement have formed in my mind. In order to teach a community, it seems more and more critical to really know the students and be familiar with their lives. Their environment is part of that.
Student quotes and stories of dropouts reiterate common themes. Family problems, lack of engagement, and falling behind were frequent causes cited. With outside quality of life issues in need of immediate attention, long term projects like diplomas fall to the wayside. Schools may need to take more of a social work role in such areas, and guidance and counseling may need to be more prevalent.
I feel like I’ve got a lot of information, and am somewhat struck with impotence. What is needed is more resources, and time. Unfortunately, this is not a luxury that students in need of education or their districts can currently afford.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Poverty in New Jersey
2. The families in the Unequal Childhoods book would all experience a decreased quality of life if they lived in New Jersey. However, the hardest hit would be the working class and poor, whose access to basic necessities would be further impaired. First of all, housing would be an issue. New Jersey is mentioned as having some of the highest rent prices in the country. Families such as Tyrec Taylor’s and Wendy Driver’s, who are paying $650.00 a month and having difficulty paying that would be hard pressed to make rent in New Jersey, where average is estimated as $1320.00 for a one adult/2 child family. Even with housing assistance, which the families might not qualify for, the rent would possibly still be too high. Housing in the suburbs is also more expensive, and taxes are high. Families might easily find themselves paying 50% of their income to housing costs. Food costs are also higher in New Jersey. In families where food is in short supply, or special outings to places like McDonald’s are a rare occasion, the prices in Newark will be too high. The report also discusses job quality. For parents like Ms. Driver, who hates her job and is definitely not making enough, even with her husband’s income, job training as recommended by the report could make a difference. The same could be said of Tyrec Taylor’s mom. They are both in secretarial positions, which are one of the positions listed as not paying enough to meet the cost of living standards. Billy Yanelli’s parents were both high school dropouts, with low paying jobs. They too would benefit from training. Also, health insurance is something that not all of the families in the study had access to. They wouldn’t be able to afford it in New Jersey, where, assuming an employer paid part, would be $339/mo for one adult, a preschooler and a child.
3. The poor families, Harold McAllister's and Katie Brindle’s, would fit with the demographic described as in poverty in New Jersey. They are female headed households with children. Though Mrs. Brindle has her GED, she is unemployed, and must care for her youngest. She does not have access to further education or daycare. Twice a month she goes to collect a cash stipend and food stamps from public assistance. She also gets a small amount from DHS, as child support from Katie’s absentee father. Small items put her over the top, and laundry is an added expense. Public housing is not available, and she is in danger of eviction because she can’t make her $600/mo rent. In New Jersey her resources would most likely be stretched even more, and her chances of finding housing would be slim. Mrs. McAllister is also unemployed and unmarried. In addition, she is a minority, and so at a greater disadvantage according to the study. She receives Aid to Families with Dependent Children and has a medical card and uses food stamps. Harold’s father, Hank the mechanic, does occasionally buy things for Harold. In New Jersey, his money would not go as far. Also, this family has somewhat of a revolving door policy, with extended family staying at various times. Resources are stretched thinner than can actually be accounted for. Both of these families fit in with what is described as the poverty class in Newark, and both require aid to get out. Unfortunately, given the current lack of programs and the higher cost of living in New Jersey, their situations would probably be worse. Also, the Brindles would not be in a working class neighborhood in this state, potentially worsening their plight .
4. Though not every student will fall into a neat category and I don’t want to make the mistake of stereotyping, my views of urban have solidified. I had a vague idea of what poverty was, but without experiencing or witnessing the day to day life of someone trying to make it without funds in an urban environment, it was softened. Seeing some of the figures in the reports, and imagining how those figures translate into real life is sobering. I’m not entirely sure what this will mean to me as an urban educator. In terms of how I view students, I would assume that their responsibilities outside of school might be greater than financially well-off kids of the same age. They might be expected to work, or care for other family members. Also, parents of students may not be what I expect. After seeing the reports, it became clear that there are a lot of single mothers trying to raise families with inadequate funds. Though they value education, providing basic necessities will be their first priority. One of my goals would be to place as little additional burden on these families. This may mean adjusting homework loads. As for the community, it seemed that parents viewed teachers with some caution, if not enmity. I would like to meet the families and discover their expectations for their kids, and make clear that their input is welcome. This doesn’t even begin to touch on housing, transportation, food and clothing, all of which are more difficult to come by for those in poverty than what I was raised to expect. As an urban educator, I feel that I will have to adjust my ideas of what kinds of projects are fair game outside of school. If I suspect resources are stretched thin, it will be my responsibility to make sure that students have access to what they need for the tasks I assign. I will need to reach out and question values. It seems that ultimately, with the number living in poverty, some working, some not, the only way to truly know what students face is to find out on an individual basis. I’m not sure how to do that without intruding, but I do feel that that knowledge will make me a better teacher.
3. The poor families, Harold McAllister's and Katie Brindle’s, would fit with the demographic described as in poverty in New Jersey. They are female headed households with children. Though Mrs. Brindle has her GED, she is unemployed, and must care for her youngest. She does not have access to further education or daycare. Twice a month she goes to collect a cash stipend and food stamps from public assistance. She also gets a small amount from DHS, as child support from Katie’s absentee father. Small items put her over the top, and laundry is an added expense. Public housing is not available, and she is in danger of eviction because she can’t make her $600/mo rent. In New Jersey her resources would most likely be stretched even more, and her chances of finding housing would be slim. Mrs. McAllister is also unemployed and unmarried. In addition, she is a minority, and so at a greater disadvantage according to the study. She receives Aid to Families with Dependent Children and has a medical card and uses food stamps. Harold’s father, Hank the mechanic, does occasionally buy things for Harold. In New Jersey, his money would not go as far. Also, this family has somewhat of a revolving door policy, with extended family staying at various times. Resources are stretched thinner than can actually be accounted for. Both of these families fit in with what is described as the poverty class in Newark, and both require aid to get out. Unfortunately, given the current lack of programs and the higher cost of living in New Jersey, their situations would probably be worse. Also, the Brindles would not be in a working class neighborhood in this state, potentially worsening their plight .
4. Though not every student will fall into a neat category and I don’t want to make the mistake of stereotyping, my views of urban have solidified. I had a vague idea of what poverty was, but without experiencing or witnessing the day to day life of someone trying to make it without funds in an urban environment, it was softened. Seeing some of the figures in the reports, and imagining how those figures translate into real life is sobering. I’m not entirely sure what this will mean to me as an urban educator. In terms of how I view students, I would assume that their responsibilities outside of school might be greater than financially well-off kids of the same age. They might be expected to work, or care for other family members. Also, parents of students may not be what I expect. After seeing the reports, it became clear that there are a lot of single mothers trying to raise families with inadequate funds. Though they value education, providing basic necessities will be their first priority. One of my goals would be to place as little additional burden on these families. This may mean adjusting homework loads. As for the community, it seemed that parents viewed teachers with some caution, if not enmity. I would like to meet the families and discover their expectations for their kids, and make clear that their input is welcome. This doesn’t even begin to touch on housing, transportation, food and clothing, all of which are more difficult to come by for those in poverty than what I was raised to expect. As an urban educator, I feel that I will have to adjust my ideas of what kinds of projects are fair game outside of school. If I suspect resources are stretched thin, it will be my responsibility to make sure that students have access to what they need for the tasks I assign. I will need to reach out and question values. It seems that ultimately, with the number living in poverty, some working, some not, the only way to truly know what students face is to find out on an individual basis. I’m not sure how to do that without intruding, but I do feel that that knowledge will make me a better teacher.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Project Update
So far, I’ve learned that the dropout crisis is very complex, and involves some pretty tough issues, and that in Newark, NJ is a program called the New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign, a program aimed at reducing what are unacceptably high drop out rates. I have yet to answer the question of how.
After looking through some of the research surrounding the issue, I have been struck by some common themes. For one thing, communities in which students don’t graduate are usually poor, and house minorities. For these students in these communities, dropping out is commonplace, a routine alternative. Where it is nearly unheard of in middle class suburbia, regular discharge from high school is part of life for many in urban schools.
In Framing Dropouts by Michelle Fine, the picture painted is pretty bleak. The teachers and administration come across as out of touch or corrupted by a failing system. Instead of pushing students to succeed, students are pushed out. Truancy, pregnancy, and violence are common. Family life is sometimes scattered, and students are unaware of their rights. A common thread is grade retention, often associated with dropping out. This was echoed by other research.
Also disturbing was the description of the options that high school dropouts were given, and the attitudes held by the students themselves regarding their options. GED programs were described as sub-par and difficult. The military was painted as an equally bleak option as opposed to an opportunity. Low-paying jobs with sketchy training targeted those desperate for income.
The New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign aims to increase the number of graduates from New Jersey High Schools. It demonstrates the benefits to individuals in terms of earning potential and family structure, and the benefits to society as well. According to the data, minorities drop out far more frequently than their white peers, and poor districts have a higher dropout rate as well. It mentions that teens are arrested more frequently than the rest of the population, and that prison inmates are more likely to have been dropouts. It cites economic advantages to the state as well.
There is an event this Friday that I hope to attend parts of, although realistically it may not happen. However, I’m really hoping to sneak over for a bit and see what kind of information is being presented. Additionally, I plan to head into Newark and check out the neighborhood. I feel that I’m getting some really good information regarding dropout reasons, but am getting the impression that the large overhaul needed to solve the problem is going to be as complex as the issue itself.
After looking through some of the research surrounding the issue, I have been struck by some common themes. For one thing, communities in which students don’t graduate are usually poor, and house minorities. For these students in these communities, dropping out is commonplace, a routine alternative. Where it is nearly unheard of in middle class suburbia, regular discharge from high school is part of life for many in urban schools.
In Framing Dropouts by Michelle Fine, the picture painted is pretty bleak. The teachers and administration come across as out of touch or corrupted by a failing system. Instead of pushing students to succeed, students are pushed out. Truancy, pregnancy, and violence are common. Family life is sometimes scattered, and students are unaware of their rights. A common thread is grade retention, often associated with dropping out. This was echoed by other research.
Also disturbing was the description of the options that high school dropouts were given, and the attitudes held by the students themselves regarding their options. GED programs were described as sub-par and difficult. The military was painted as an equally bleak option as opposed to an opportunity. Low-paying jobs with sketchy training targeted those desperate for income.
The New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign aims to increase the number of graduates from New Jersey High Schools. It demonstrates the benefits to individuals in terms of earning potential and family structure, and the benefits to society as well. According to the data, minorities drop out far more frequently than their white peers, and poor districts have a higher dropout rate as well. It mentions that teens are arrested more frequently than the rest of the population, and that prison inmates are more likely to have been dropouts. It cites economic advantages to the state as well.
There is an event this Friday that I hope to attend parts of, although realistically it may not happen. However, I’m really hoping to sneak over for a bit and see what kind of information is being presented. Additionally, I plan to head into Newark and check out the neighborhood. I feel that I’m getting some really good information regarding dropout reasons, but am getting the impression that the large overhaul needed to solve the problem is going to be as complex as the issue itself.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Inquiry Project Introduction
One of the problems facing urban area schools is a high dropout rate. It has been predicted that with our changing economy, competition for high-paying quality jobs will be intense. Students who do not complete high school and subsequently do not enroll in institutes for continuing education will be at a severe disadvantage when it comes to landing a decent position. When a decision made at sixteen can have a detrimental effect on future quality of life, and is being made by a considerable proportion of students, it is an issue that should be addressed. In addition, such individuals are more likely to be on the receiving end of welfare, thereby increasing the strain on an already overburdened system. The aim of this inquiry will be to look closely a school in Newark that has succeeded in increasing its graduation rate.
The initial portion of my inquiry will concern the dropout crisis in general. Several factors are potential trends associated with an increased dropout rate. In urban areas, schools are not always in tune with community needs. Additionally, in urban areas where income falls below or near the poverty level, home life and priorities are not in sync with educational goals, and vice versa. Teachers in urban areas sometimes lack training that prepares them for urban classrooms, thereby decreasing their efficacy. There has been a darker side to standardized accountability testing as well, one that results in grade retention and dropout, often disproportionately effecting minorities. On the flip side, some schools have implemented programs that adequately address these concerns. What have these schools done right? What challenges did they overcome, and what areas are they still struggling with?
This community inquiry will utilize data collected from analysis of a Newark school that has shown a steady decline in the dropout rate. By analyzing the community, the school, the faculty, and the student body, I hope to identify the reasons for this success, and determine if the school used methods that could be incorporated by other districts. Traditional reasons for increased dropout rates and possible local causes will be discussed. The inquiry will provide an overview of the school and its history. It will examine the community from which its student body is derived. Notable characteristics of faculty and administrators as well as training programs will be examined. In addition, the decline in the rate for this particular school should be noted, and direct actions by the school that produced this result will be identified. Finally, some possible suggestions for increasing retention rates as provided by interviews and through analysis will be mentioned.
The initial portion of my inquiry will concern the dropout crisis in general. Several factors are potential trends associated with an increased dropout rate. In urban areas, schools are not always in tune with community needs. Additionally, in urban areas where income falls below or near the poverty level, home life and priorities are not in sync with educational goals, and vice versa. Teachers in urban areas sometimes lack training that prepares them for urban classrooms, thereby decreasing their efficacy. There has been a darker side to standardized accountability testing as well, one that results in grade retention and dropout, often disproportionately effecting minorities. On the flip side, some schools have implemented programs that adequately address these concerns. What have these schools done right? What challenges did they overcome, and what areas are they still struggling with?
This community inquiry will utilize data collected from analysis of a Newark school that has shown a steady decline in the dropout rate. By analyzing the community, the school, the faculty, and the student body, I hope to identify the reasons for this success, and determine if the school used methods that could be incorporated by other districts. Traditional reasons for increased dropout rates and possible local causes will be discussed. The inquiry will provide an overview of the school and its history. It will examine the community from which its student body is derived. Notable characteristics of faculty and administrators as well as training programs will be examined. In addition, the decline in the rate for this particular school should be noted, and direct actions by the school that produced this result will be identified. Finally, some possible suggestions for increasing retention rates as provided by interviews and through analysis will be mentioned.
Inquiry Project
For my inquiry project I would like to look at what factors influence high school drop out rates, using a school that has steadily increased its graduation rate for the last few years. The school I have in mind is West Side High school in Newark, NJ. With close proximity to Rutgers, Newark and ties to local businesses, the school offers many programs that allow students to experience different career fields. One question I have regards whether these programs aid in student retention. My hope is to interview faculty and students at the school. If this is not possible, I will restrict my data to statistics and news. The factors I will look at will be decided by what I have specifically seen mentioned in research articles. They will include opinions of school relevancy to the community, data on the economic status of students, teacher opinions of how effective they feel in classrooms, and possibly student views of the school.
Data:
NJ school report card
Who attends the school?
Newark Public Schools Web site
Articles and news reports
Interviews:
Administrators and faculty
• What do you feel the school’s strengths are in regards to curriculum and meeting student needs?
• How would you describe the student population? Are the students engaged?
• What programs or strategies do you implement to encourage student involvement?
• What challenges do you face regarding student enrollment and classroom interaction?
Students (maybe)
• Do you have a favorite class?
• What do you like best about this school?
• How would you describe the school community?
• What programs or extracurricular activities interest you?
• What are you planning on doing when you graduate?
Walking tour/Google Maps:
10 block radius to note general atmosphere and resources. Specifically, I will be looking for:
Libraries
Clubs aimed at teens
Parks
Local hangouts
Businesses
Vacant lots
Data:
NJ school report card
Who attends the school?
Newark Public Schools Web site
Articles and news reports
Interviews:
Administrators and faculty
• What do you feel the school’s strengths are in regards to curriculum and meeting student needs?
• How would you describe the student population? Are the students engaged?
• What programs or strategies do you implement to encourage student involvement?
• What challenges do you face regarding student enrollment and classroom interaction?
Students (maybe)
• Do you have a favorite class?
• What do you like best about this school?
• How would you describe the school community?
• What programs or extracurricular activities interest you?
• What are you planning on doing when you graduate?
Walking tour/Google Maps:
10 block radius to note general atmosphere and resources. Specifically, I will be looking for:
Libraries
Clubs aimed at teens
Parks
Local hangouts
Businesses
Vacant lots
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