June 19, 2009

Think about someone you know who dropped out of high school. Why did they end up dropping out? What has their life been like since they dropped out? Think about someone you know who graduated from high school. What did they do that helped them to make it through? What has their life been like since they graduated? (5 minutes to write; 5 to discuss)

Of the students in the class of 2008, o 60% graduated in 4 years. o 25% of the students who started high school in 2004 dropped out along the way. o 15% of the students who started in 2004 still needed to spend more time in school in order to earn a diploma. (They are on a 5-year or 6- year graduation plan, if they stay in school.)

In 2008, only 10 high schools (out of more than 35) in Boston had a 4-year graduation rate of over 75%.

There are 13,000 young people in Boston who are between the ages of and have dropped out of school. There are only 1,000 spaces in Boston public schools for students who have dropped out, but want to come back to school and get their high school diploma. (That means only 1 out of every 12 dropouts CAN come back, even if they all want to.)

Of big cities in the United States, Boston sends the most students to college, but over half of the students from Boston Public Schools who go to college end up dropping out without completing their college education.

Why are we telling you all of this depressing information right before you finish middle school? o A) Because we love you. o B) Because we think you’ll do better in high school if we tell you about the obstacles, rather than pretending that the obstacles don’t exist. o C) Because we believe in you, and believe that you’ll overcome the obstacles if you’re prepared for them. o D) All of the above.

Your teachers have come up with some hints and tips to help you get through the obstacle course of high school!

Know your own strengths and weaknesses. Know the obstacles you’ll face. Build up your strengths. Improve on your weaknesses. Plan for the obstacles. Ask for help if your plans aren’t working!

Complete the strengths/weaknesses analysis. Be as honest and as detailed as you can be. It’s important to really know, and be able to name, your strengths and your weaknesses. (10 minutes)

Popcorn Reading of “Stumbling Blocks You May Face During the Transition to High School, and How To Overcome Them” As you read, put a star beside stumbling blocks you think are important to know about, and beside strategies you think might be helpful for you to use. (10 minutes)

Complete the High School Success Plan. Identify at least 4 aspects of the transition to high school that you think may be challenging for you. Identify at least 6 strategies you think could helpful in overcoming obstacles. Think of at least 5 specific people/organizations who can help you if you feel like you’re struggling with the transition. (10 minutes)

(30 minutes)