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Taylor Whitmore
English 1010
Mr. Hall
November 30th, 2014
Issue Exploration Essay
The Declining American High School Graduation Rates.

There is so much information on the subject of student drop-out and so many reasons why
students are dropping out. Even with the rise of minority graduation, the percentage is much
lower with non-minorities.
Mr. Lafontaine and Mr. Heckman suggest in their article that the problem with graduation is
associated with G.E.D. rates.
The most significant source of bias in estimating graduation rates comes from including
GED recipients as high school graduates. GEDs are high school dropouts who certify as the
equivalents of ordinary graduates by passing an exam. Currently fifteen to twenty percent of
all new high school credentials issued each year are GEDs. In recent years, inclusion of
GEDs as high school graduates is biased graduation by seven or eight percentage points. A
graduation summary shows that the GED program does not benefit most participants.
Heckman, and Lafontaine (Oct. 30, 2014).
I am certainly not opposed to students going back to school and receiving their diplomas, but,
the requirements are much to easy. My point of view about this article by Heckman, and
Lafontaine is in agreement for the most part. GED participants only have to take an exam to get
a degree and not make up all of the classes they have missed. Most graduate from high school

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by working hard, attending school every day, doing multiple homework assignments,
taking tests, and having a well-rounded high school or college experience. The GED
experience hides important problems which must be addressed.
I learned from Lafontaine, and Heckman is that there are many factors harming the
graduation rates and there is a slow down in the growth of college educated workers and
the workforce.
Another article I read by Alexander Astin talks about why student involvement is key to
be a success in high school and college. The following quote from Alexander Astin
appropriately tells what is important in his research.
Quite simply, student involvement refers to the amount of physical and psychological
energy that the student devotes to the academic experience. Thus, a highly involved
student is one who, for example, devotes considerable energy to studying, spending much
time on campus, participates actively in student organizations, and interacts frequently
with faculty members and other students.
Astin (1984).
I agree with Alexander Astin for the most part. If a student does not co-mingle with the
other students, and faculty, students will not know how to communicate in the real world and
especially when they start their career. I feel that it would be hard to work with others in the
work place if they didnt know how to communicate with others. One might be making it
difficult to get a job in their field if communication is difficult. But on the other end of this
research article, I disagree when the involvement overtakes your life, and you forget to study
an make the grades and get the degree. Involvement takes many forms such as complete thought
into academic work, participation in extracurricular activities with faculty, staff, and advisors.

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The author, Mr. Astin wrote of the importance of keeping a journal to stay focused.
To ask the students to keep, helpful, for example, to ask the student to keep a detailed
diary, show the time spent in various activities uch as studying, sleeping, socializing,
daydreaming, working, and commuting.
Astin (1984).
I agree with the journal activity in-that it will keep a student focused on the daily tasks and
keeping to a schedule improves the mind and secures the time. I was taught in the elementary
schools to keep journals for many subjects including, math, science, language, reading, and
language arts. I have spoken with a couple of my former teachers to get their views and opinions
on journal taking and they both agreed the keeping journals is a valuable tool to be successful.
Something new that I have learned from this author, Mr. Astin, is that a well-balanced life is a
key to being successful and happy in high school and college life. Peers are also a major part
of academic success. Reach out and find peers that may be different from yourself, whether
from a different part of the world or a different economic status. If one reaches out, one will be
richly rewarded. I again spoke to a former teacher who came from another country and he said
one of the things that made him successful for the acceptance and care he received from his
teachers and friends.
There are so many problems which are associated with the drop-out numbers that really
caught my attention. Three authors, John Bridgeland, John Dilulio, and Karen Burke wrote
an article called: Silent Epidemic: Perspective of High School Drop-Outs. The paper was
well done and it gave numbers to why the number of drop-outs factor and it was a great tool in
my preparing my IEP subject and essay. There were many comparisons charts which talked
about drop-out rates and why they happen. I feel that students want to graduate, but, there are
many reasons that keep them out of high school and college. Some students come from families

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Where there isnt a lot of money, and there help is needed to support the family income.
There may be small children at home that need to be taken care of while parents are working two
or three jobs. I agree with the following statement: Unless encouraged by parents and caregivers to attend an institute of higher learning, they will not go.
Bridgeland, Dilulio, and Burke. (2006).
I need to say that with a lot of determination and fortitude any student can attain a higher
level of education. A label should not be put on a student when they are not encouraged to go to
school. A good teacher will encourage students of all backgrounds to attend a higher level of
education. In all cases, the voices of young people who dropped out of high school should be
heard. I dont think this situation is being taken seriously. All students have the right to a higher
level of education.
Again, I spoke with a former educator and we both agreed that there is a serious issue in our
country that must be addressed by the schools, the school districts, the states, and the nation. My
question is who will be in charge of the future if more of an interest is not taken in the education
of the youth? I want a great ending for all students and I hope all educators feel the same.
Unless everyone gets on board, our youth wont have much of a future.
The next research paper I was interested in was one done by Linda Hammond-Darling who
wrote a paper on Race, Inequality, and Educational Accountability. The paper dealt a lot with
the no child left behind, introduced by President Bush. It original purpose was to raise low
test scores throughout the nation. Over the years, prior to the Bush Administration scores had
dropped to alarming rates. The initiative was also meant to raise educational growth and to close
the racial, and ethnic growth gap.
After analyzing this research paper, there are many parts of the curriculum which needs to be

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adjusted to provide more individual growth. One comment I want a disagree with is what the
Author, Mrs. Hammond says: inappropriate testing for ELL students and students with
Special needs and to exclude low-scoring assessment from the school.
Darling-Hammond (2007).
The schools do address the problem of unequal education across the country. There are ESL
teachers in all schools, where students get extra help with their writing, reading, and language
arts, and speech skills on a daily basis. Teachers are required to return to school to get an ESL
endorsement to accommodate all students with different languages and backgrounds. To be
fair to the writer of this article, Darling-Hammond (2007), the article was written several years
ago and several procedures have been put into place to improve students growth and test scores.
I have had a close relationship with several of my teachers over the years and have stayed
after school talking with teachers about what problems that were facing and some of their
biggest challenges, most believe our future is in good hands. I can honestly say there are many
challenges but I feel there are new educational programs put into play every year to provide a
good education for all students.

References:
Astin, Alexander. Student Involvement: A Developmental Theory for Higher Education.
Journal of College Student Development, Vol. #40. Graduate School of Education.

U.C.L.A. July, 1984.

Bridgeland, John., John Dilulio, and Karen Burke. The Silent Epidemic: Perspective of
High-School Drop-Outs. Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation: Socio-economic Status.
www.civicenterprises.net. March 10th, 2006.

Darling-Hammond, Linda. Race, Inequality, and Educational Accountability: The Irony of

no child left behind. Archives of Bush Administration. Washington D.C. Oct. 18. 2007

Heckman, James, and Paul Lafontaine. The Declining American High School Graduation
Rates. Evidence, Sources, and Consequences. American Bar Foundation. National
Bureau of Economic Research. nfo@nbr.org Oct. 30, 2014

Terenzini, Patrick, and Alberto, Cabera. Swimming Against the Tide: The Poor in American
Education. The College Board Research. 2001-Web.