This is what tenth-grader Tori Teel had to say about school drop-outs and legislature's consideration of raising the mandatory attendance age. If you'd like to see what others said, click on "older posts" below. (Mrs. Shehane)
As teenagers we often group people into a certain category based on our opinion of who they are: smart kids, nerds, populars, normal people, druggies, drop outs, etc. One of these often ridiculous stereotypes is the drop out. The kid who does not think that they can finish, or makes a decision that places them in a circumstance where they simply cannot. Recently, there has been discussion of changing the drop out age from 16 to 18, where the student can also drop out with parental permission at age 17. This is a great idea for American students today as we are faced with numerous scenarios where more and more students continuously drop out every year.
If there was a survey to be conducted on students who enjoy school vs. students who do not, it would more than likely display the simple fact that school is not the choice location for the majority of teenagers. However, school is currently our main daily activity, and we really do not have any choice in the matter of whether we go or not, up until a certain age. Some students are never going to be pleased, however, there are some students who simply see school as a boring burden that they have to endure for 12 plus years. One possible reason that students think this way is how their teachers portray their views on school. Five year olds are not the only ones who learn from example, and if the only view shown to students by school staff is discontent and aggravation then they will acquire the same attitude towards coming and applying themselves every day. We all have our off days, but if the teachers could even pretend to love what they do it would greatly affect some students’ opinion of school.
As teenagers we are just one big blob of mixed up hormones, crazy emotions, and attitudes to top it all off. We are our worst critic, and some students have such a negative opinion of themselves that they begin to believe that they are never going to finish school, so they throw in the towel. This is a sad fact that some teens have so little faith in themselves that they give up so quickly. Other teens get into situations where it is difficult for them to finish school as planned, such as a teen pregnancy or the death of parents where the oldest child has to take care of the younger ones. Some scenarios are not the fault of the student, but some are. Giving teens help and promoting school in a positive way would help the dropout rate decrease dramatically, and help give more students the chance for a good education.
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Every teen belongs some where, whether it be in the Goth group or the Jock group and even the in-between. But every high school has one very individual group and that is the Drop Outs! Every school has them, but not every school wants them, it’s just something we have too deal with, its life. A drop out is a ex-student who thinks they can’t get through high school, but that’s not always the case, it could be there parents or there so called great job and that they just don’t feel like trying, that keeps them out.
ReplyDeleteIn perspective there should be a higher age for drop out students. But in another way what is the point if they aren’t going to try any way? Well if the age is higher than they will have to go longer so maybe they will feel that they have gone this far why quit now, unless they are forced too by there parents or they aren’t going to try no matter what anyone tries to do for them. Oh no what will we do now, I say we make them go in front of the board of education to see if they should be able to drop out or not, I say we let them decide what is best.
There should be an age limit to try and make the so called drop outs wait a little bit longer before they ruin there lives. And just maybe that little bit of extra time will convince them too stick it out and finish school. We need to keep our students in school so they will be better prepared for what is coming in the future, because even now there is college graduates who don’t even have a job. So how long do you think you will last being a high school drop out?
In my opinon I think that the teenage drpoout age should be 18. Sixteen year old sshould not be able to drop out due to the fact that they have a big future ahead of them and they are ruining it by dropping out so early. Parents of those that just do not care,should imagine what the future wil be like when they get old enough to be out on their own. Some say we are kids, well they are right. we are not fully grown adults yet and making those kinds of decisions on our own will either make us or break us and most of the time it will break us. When we turn 18 our future really depends on our decisions right there. We should look at the opportunities ahead of us and take advantage of all them. Sometimes the future has something good in store for people but dropping out of school at 16 limits us to very little things. If we keep oursleves in school as long as possible, the outcomes of us being successful are alot higher than others. If we keep our head on the right track we will get the credit that is offered. Parents don't think of what is in store for their children when they decide that it is time already to take their kids out of school. Well think again parents, they may not have to be the brightest kids in the world but they have some kind of future and they need to live it to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteI believe the dropout age being changed from 16 to 18 is a great idea for American students. By letting kids drop out at 16 we are hurting our own country because, they are the future leaders of America. By keeping kids in school until their 18 should get it to where they are thinking a little better. At 16 kids are going through many changes and usually not thinking with their brains. Also, if they have only failed a grade by getting them to stay until they're 18 should make them a senior. Who would drop out that close to being finished with school?
ReplyDeleteThe students of America are our next leaders. I'm sure our country doesn't need a bunch of buger-flippers. We need strong and smart leaders. Sometimes kids just need the extra push, and two more years very well could be it for some students.This is one good reason for the age to be changed.
Next, everyone knows at 16 your body and mind are going through many changes. Some kids might think dropping out is great, they can party and do whatever. They need to be aware they won't survive like that. So, by changing it to 18 they will think a little bit more logically, not the world revolves around partying and not doing school work. That is the second positive reason.
Finally, by keeping kids in school until they're 18 puts them closer to graduating then they would've been at 16. I understand there are some kids who fail 5 or 6 times but, some only fail once and keeping them until 18 would make most seniors. By dropping out at 16 some might fail 10th grade and just decide to quit. At 18 they will be closer to graduating. I know being a senior they won't want to give up. Those are my reasons why I think changig the drop out age to 18 is a great idea.