“High stakes” testing seems to be the accepted philosophy of our Washington State legislators and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Our citizens are unaware that the current approach of testing high school seniors will destroy many lives and leave us, the state’s taxpayers, with a huge economic burden.
This will happen because the new graduation requirement for the class of 2013 requires seniors to pass a state math exam that focuses on geometry and algebra. But for 3,700 students of high minority and poverty are on track to graduate, this test will likely deny them a high school diploma. Why? Because the math test, geared to students who plan to attend a four-year college, will fail students who plan to attend a community college and/or enter the blue-collar work force.
Many of these students have participated in their school’s activities, and cheered for or participated in their sports program. Many are gifted musicians, chefs, beauticians, budding entrepreneurs, plumbers, electricians, and other honorable trades. But they struggle with math. They’re not dumb. They’ve had so much adversity in their lives that their brains are not capable of learning advanced math. Research on brain development is very clear: Children who have experienced trauma can have a hidden neurological disability – they have difficulty processing abstract concepts. That's because toxic stress hormones from severe and chronic trauma have altered their brain function.
Here’s why failing them will cost us:
Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts, New York Times, Oct. 9, 2009. Andrew Sum, Director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern, who headed a team of researchers that prepared the report, says: “It’s one of the country’s costliest problems. The unemployment, the incarceration rates – it’s scary.”
- Currently there are 6.2 million high school dropouts.
- On any given day, about one in every 10 young male high school dropouts is in jail or juvenile detention.
- “The dropout rate is driving the nation’s increasing prison population, and it’s a drag on America’s economic competitiveness. This report makes it clear that every American pays a cost when a young person leaves school without a diploma.” -- Marc H Morial, President of the National Urban League.
- Each dropout costs the American taxpayer $292,000 over their lifetime.
- Young female dropouts are nine times more likely to become single mothers than those who have entered a skilled career path or college degree
The True Costs of High School Dropouts, New York Times, Jan. 26, 2012.
- Graduation rates are improving, but they are not keeping up with the demand for the skilled worker or technological progress.
- Studies show that the typical high school graduate will obtain higher employment and earnings - an astonishing 50% to 100% increase in lifetime income – and are much less likely to be dependent on government….healthcare, welfare, or be incarcerated. The typical graduate will contribute more in tax revenues over his lifetime than if he’d dropped out.
- The public will benefit nearly $90 billion for each year of success in reducing the number of high school dropouts by 700,000 – or something close to $1 trillion after 11 years.
By the Numbers: Dropping Out of High School, PBS Frontline, Sept. 21, 2012. "The average dropout can expect to earn an annual income of $20,241, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (PDF). That’s a full $10,386 less than the typical high school graduate, and $36,424 less than someone with a bachelor’s degree."
- Dropouts have a very difficult time finding employment and are under-skilled for jobs that provide sustainable income.
- Among dropouts between the ages of 16 and 24, incarceration rates were 63 times higher than among college graduates.
Children Trends Database Research, High School Dropout Statistics U.S. -- Education Week, Oct. 12, 2012.
The number of high school students who drop out each day -- 8,300.
- Percent of US crimes that are committed by a high school dropout – 75%.
- Percent of African-American dropouts who have spent time in prison – 60%.
- Percent of US jobs a high school dropout is not eligible for – 90%
Like many in our nation, Washington State faces a severe budget deficit that cannot weather increased unemployment, increased incarceration, increased numbers dependent on government services.
We are not asking for lower standards. We are asking for a differentiated diploma for those not passing the state math exam. We honor and recognize the students who can pass the math exam without a problem. They deserve recognition for their accomplishments and their goals of attending a four-year college. However, we stand firm that it is punitive and wrong to deny other students a high school diploma for coming so far and so close to the finish line to be turned away and labeled failures.
I asked OSPI and several other state legislators: "How can you justify denying a high school diploma to a student who has not left school, has earned the appropriate credit, has met the state’s academic graduation requirements, has prepared their High School and Beyond Plan, will have presented their high School Culminating Project, and has passed two out of three state assessments in reading and writing?”
I am still waiting for an answer
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