As reported in the Chicago Tribune, published July 5, 2006, Chicago is the third largest school system and yet has only a "52.2 percent graduation rate". This data corresponds with a study by the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago, which reported in 2006, that "...fifty-four percent of Chicago public school freshman receive a diploma". Another article from the Chicago Sun-Times entitled, Chicago Must Find Way To Help Students Finish High School, states that "In part, minority males are likely leaving school because they are not learning sufficient skills in school for attendance to be worth their time". So what is the system doing wrong? Is the system the one who is failing?
Looking at a variety of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), I chose to focus on Steinmetz High School, located on the west side, in part, because my father graduated from Steinmetz. Born and raised by European immigrants, my father and his family lived only a few blocks from the high school. The neighborhood and the school has changed over the last 70 years since my father attended Steinmetz. After looking at Steinmetz 2007 report card, I decided to write to the principal in an effort to gain a better understanding of the reasons for its drop out rates. Some of the questions I will be addressing to the principal are; 1) Which causal factor would you most attribute to the drop out rate: family influences, social experiences, or school/curriculum based issues? 2) Could you hypothesize as to the etiologies for the drop out rate of students with disabilities who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)? 3) In an effort to reduce drop out rates, what have you found to be most effective?
No comments:
Post a Comment