More High School Math, Science Linked to More Dropouts

[Centrics]

As U.S. high schools beef up math and science requirements for graduation, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that more rigorous academics drive some students to drop out.

The research team reported in the June/July issue of the journal Educational Researcher that policies increasing the number of required high school math and science courses are linked to higher dropout rates.

The rest of the story
PDnet

[DaddyCajun]

Just like some kids are never going to be great athletes, making your plays more complex may make it seem to the kid that being an athlete is even more so NOT for them! Not all kids were wired to be Doctors, lawyers, Engineers,etc but giving them the opportunity to acheive in some trade at school, keeps them in school, off the streets, and gives them something they can walk proudly out of High School with, a be a productive contributor of society instead of a drain and entitled minded person that the USA has way too many of, thank you Gimicats!

[CajunEXPRESS]

I am all for high school kids completing their four years with "meaningful courses". If we dumb down the cariculumm too far it will make a high school degree worthless. If a kid does not possess the skills to attain a college degree they should be allowed to matriculate towards a trade.

They do not need calculus, or physics. On the the other hand if all they want is Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic lets ship them to trade school as freshman. Do we want an educated literate society or a trade society is the question?

[VObserver]

I am all for high school kids completing their four years with "meaningful courses". If we dumb down the cariculumm too far it will make a high school degree worthless. If a kid does not possess the skills to attain a college degree they should be allowed to matriculate towards a trade.

They do not need calculus, or physics. On the the other hand if all they want is Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic lets ship them to trade school as freshman. Do we want an educated literate society or a trade society is the question?

Yes.

And we can have both by simply going back to what they did 50 years ago when you and I were in school, Express: have a 'college-bound' curriculum AND a trades curriculum. It didn't seem to hurt back then.

My school had an 'industrial arts' program where kids were taught basic English, social studies, science and math; but the main thrust of the program was to teach kids a trade, like carpentry, welding, automotive repair, plumbing, electrical, etc.

It also had a 'college preparatory' program, where those who planned to go to college could take their calculus or physics or British Literature.

Worked for us.

[CajunNation]

Yes.

And we can have both by simply going back to what they did 50 years ago when you and I were in school, Express: have a 'college-bound' curriculum AND a trades curriculum. It didn't seem to hurt back then.

My school had an 'industrial arts' program where kids were taught basic English, social studies, science and math; but the main thrust of the program was to teach kids a trade, like carpentry, welding, automotive repair, plumbing, electrical, etc.

It also had a 'college preparatory' program, where those who planned to go to college could take their calculus or physics or British Literature.

Worked for us.

100% correct VO.

[CajunAmos]

Of if they are in between, make use of a robust JUCO system getting rid of about half of the four year universities. Make the grades at JUCO, and move to a four year university with a better understanding of what it takes.

[BamaCajun]

Yes.

And we can have both by simply going back to what they did 50 years ago when you and I were in school, Express: have a 'college-bound' curriculum AND a trades curriculum. It didn't seem to hurt back then.

My school had an 'industrial arts' program where kids were taught basic English, social studies, science and math; but the main thrust of the program was to teach kids a trade, like carpentry, welding, automotive repair, plumbing, electrical, etc.

It also had a 'college preparatory' program, where those who planned to go to college could take their calculus or physics or British Literature.

Worked for us.

Hear, hear! And, this model still works in other countries that have passed us academically.