From Here To Here We think that our students are are ready to learn for a career, but we are wrong. We don’t know the conflicts that hold back our students from receiving a diploma. By Andrea Calderon and Eveanna Del Cid

Dropout and Graduation Rate  According to an LAUSD article by Barbara Jones, staff writer, the dropout rate improved and LAUSD schools tried to keep struggling students. However, though the dropout rate is dropping, the graduation rate plunged.  Sources from the California Department of Education stated that 24.8% of the students from the Class of 2010 dropped out. However, the 20.6% of students from the Class of 2011 dropped out. The same sources found out that 62.4% of LAUSD students of the Class of 2010 graduated. In the following year, the figures declined to 61.6%.  In 2011, the Hispanic graduation rate slipped 1 point to 59.8%, but the dropout rate enhanced 4.1 points to 21.1%.  “Even though these rates are improving, at the rate California is going, it will take us 13 years to close the graduation gap between Latino and African-American students and their white peers,” said Arun Ramanathan, executive director of The Education Trust-West, a statewide advocacy group. “Tens of thousands of dropouts represent a large-scale tragedy for the CA-economy and our states future prosperity.”

Reasons For Dropping Out  The reason teens drop out of high school depends on what the teens experience around their environment and how it has affected their decisions. Though, teens are reluctant to confess why they drop out so they make up excuses. All teenage dropouts have the habit or repeating the same excuses. It isn’t just excuses, but also the result of frustration and lack of support.  The main reasons why teenagers drop out include:  Teenagers say that their classes aren’t interesting and aren’t motivated. Our youth has experienced many challenges that has caused them to have a different perspective and lack relationships with teachers and students.  Teenager are being bullied and disliked by fellow students. They are bullied for their wardrobe and fashion style, weight, and sexual orientation.  Their companions force them to do the wrong thing for money. Teens see friends who drop out have desired luxuries and wealth.  Unexpected events and obligations become the top priority instead of school.  Teens are abused at home which causes them to run away and and they lack support from trusted adults.  Abuse of drugs and alcohol can get teens in trouble with the law. Many teens believe they have a better chance of succeeding if they attend a private school.

Dropout Prevention  Many teachers, administrators, parents, and other concerned adults don’t realize that one can prevent a teenager from committing this mistake they will regret later in the future. We, as potential leaders, don’t completely understand that vulnerable adolescents need guidance through the phases they go through everyday because of the overwhelming conflicts. All of us can solve this dilemma if we identify the potential dropouts and tutor them or else they won’t know what to do and drop out.  One can prevent the youth from dropping out by:  Mentoring/ Tutoring  Service Learning: This strategy connects community service with academic learning. It promotes social and personal growth, career development, and civic responsibility. It’s a great way for reforming all grades.  Alternative Schooling: This provides potential dropouts options leading to graduation with programs that provide attention to students’ social needs and academic requirements.  After school Opportunities: These programs eliminate information loss and inspire interest in various areas

Dropout Prevention (cont.)  Early Childhood Educations: Early interventions demonstrate that providing a kid with educational enrichments can change/improve his/her IQ. Providing the best possible instruction from the beginning of the school year is a great way to reduce the amount of dropouts.  Family Engagement: This strategy that accurately predicts a student’s success. It has a direct, positive effect on a student’s achievements.  Early Literacy Development: Early interventions to help unsuccessful students recognize that focusing on writing and reading skills is the foundation of effective learning in all subjects.  Professional Development: Educators who work with teens at a high risk of academic failure need to feel supported. This way, they will continue to develop skills and techniques and learn about innovative strategies.  Active Learning: This strategy calls for teachers to show students that there are different ways to learn. Students can discover ways to solve dilemmas.  Educational Technology: technology offers great opportunities for delivering instruction that engages students in authentic learning, addresses multiple intelligences, and adapts to students’ learning styles.

Our Solutions  Despite there are several effective ways to prevent an adolescent from quitting school, teenagers themselves know very best what is a truly effective way from preventing dropouts. Though, many adults claim they know what is best for potential dropouts, adolescents know how to target and persuade teenagers from dropping out because they interact with one another everyday.  Our solutions for preventing dropouts include:  Teenagers should express out their feelings by creating a hobby that distracts them from their troubles. All of their feelings will be out in a way that can boast their self-esteem.  Adolescents should share their feelings with someone they can trust and rely on or else their feelings can cause them to do something they will regret.  The best way to face and resolve those dilemmas is by confessing to the parents how they feel and how the problem is affecting them academically, emotionally, and socially.

Take Action Before All Of Us Commit A Mistake We Will Regret. Thank You.