OCR Text |
Show Page9 THE DROP-OUT principle to place the blame for all math pupil failures on causes beyond the control PROBLEM IN by Mildred L. Hinckley 1969, period in It a Salt Lake Volunteer organization on the subject of the Dropout Problem in Utah. The research was the project of Mildred L.Hinckley, a the of considerable research. The organization for whom the information was gathered published a large part of her findings in a booklet. However, much important was not included due to space limitations. Mrs. Hinckley, as does WORDPOWER, believes Wasatch Front taxpayers are entitled to know as many facts as possible. Following is an abstract of her original manuscript. Due to WORDPOWER space limitations, the information will be presented in three stages: ~ PART ONE Root Causes The Utah 1968-69 public school appropriation amounted to $223.914,184 which included ‘district, State, and Federal funding for all operations within the public school spectrum. This amount represents one of the highest apportionments in the nation with respect to per capita income. The Utah public school tax recognized- by educators of a criterion for the quality of the educational system to which it refers: The lower the dropout rate, the better the system. The highest dropout retired classroom teacher. Mrs. Hinckley’s interest in the problem information is that the dropout rate is somewhat information was gathered for preceeded her article for Organization in the form burden appears to have reached a ceiling. It is about as heavy as the public is willing to bear. On the other hand, the total amount is not particularly high with respect to -expenditure rates in Utah are found among the minority groups: Chicano, Indian, migrants, Black, white under-priviledge. It may safely be implied from this that educational opportunities for minority groups in Utah do not compare favorably with those for the white middle-class segments. In 1969 there were 2,501 dropouts, all todl, 469 of these in the Salt Lake School District. A valid discussion of the holding power and/or dropout rate for Utah, or for any of demand. In years past, it has been imposes a tremendous responsibility upon district and State administrators. It appears there simply is not sufficient Although the dropout ratio in the where they are most needed. attempt has been made to answer the basic question, Are our public school administrators using their resources to attack the dropout problem in the areas where it isengendered?” Inasmuch as research has shown that the highest dropout rate occurs in the more densely populated segments of society, the finding and implications of this study apply mainly, and in a general way, to the Utah metropolitan districts, particularly to Salt Lake City. Research has also shown that causes arein the main generated in home conditions and in elementary school procedures. However, secondary school problems have become so acute in recent years, these cannot be reasonably overlooked in any survey of the dropout problem, however brief. difficult for | indication years, the school of to police report conditions in an Salt Lake secondary schools? The answer to this question is not likely to be obtained except through highly skilled research. Administrative personnel appear to be reluctant to lay their problems before the community. If the school establishment would “‘open up and accept suggestions from the outside for solutions to the many problems of discipline, perhaps progress would accelerated. | be During the progress of this survey, evidence of racism was not encountered. However, the West High incident later erupted, exposing unequivocally the Education; Drug Abuse. Superintendent, Principal, Supervisors, Parents, Pupils, and Nationally, the public school existence of racist attitudes among Public. Any teacher who. tries to situation _relative to: discipline has Salt Lake classroom teachers. At a use his/her own ideas is likely to become terrifying. In some cities, mass meeting at Central City the face criticism from any or all of the teachers carry guns. Policemem, Salt Lake School Board members lighting halls, hidden expressed concerned amazement at special above entities. Aside from home conditions, microphones and burglar alarms are conditions pertaining to racism four other factors emerged as vital employed in a desperate attempt to reported by parents in attendance. to the genesis of dropouts in the elementary school. These were: The Graded School; Slow Learners; Negative Behavior; Teacher Morale. Countless writers over the past 70 years have contended that the so-called “slow possible for a head of a family to just above support his wife and children in classes for reasonable comfort, even if he These are dropped out of school. This is experience becoming impossible. Dropouts add consequent to the welfare rolls each year. In Many never 1969, 4000 welfare cases were any time in gained in Utah. This figure can be group has expected money to supply all needs of Utah's children. Funds must be allocated reasoning was too elementary children. needs attendants trouble-makers. Is the above teacher maintain control. One junior high The impression was given that the its school districts, would necessarily be highly involved and rather technical. This topic is graded school is most to blame for therefore dismissed since dropout school failures. It has been stated statistics cannot be quoted without that graded schools were imported long explanations, if they are to from Prussia in the middle 1800's. receive any degree of credence. It is now classed by many educators The economic aspect of the as a cumbersome anachronism problem is becoming increasingly which predestines the slow to disturbing because of the failure and frustration, the gifted to technological developments which retardation and boredom. arerenderingthe situation such that Most classroom teachers are unskilled labor ts less and -less in confronted with a group of per pupil, as compared with national norms. This situation An have All teachers who responded to the questionnaire believe that has a supreme opportunity to teacher morale -is influenced by load and that pupil counteract destructive home. classroom influences. In order to do this, negativism is influenced by teacher “Many courageous teachers have morale. It has become necessary in found it necessary to ignor some Salt Lake schools to increase curriculum requirements and certain teacher load. Modernized programs school policy. However, it is a rare with all the accompanying facilities, teacher who has the temerity to act supplies, and sophisticated devices independently of the have been introduced at a price. In the secondary levels, the most administration. Teachers are rated on how well they conform to all salient problems contingent upon pressures: Teacher Training the dropout question, aside from Requirements, State School Board, home conditions, were; Discipline; & Graduation State Superintendent, District Curriculum Requirements; Compulsory School Board, District the child’s early SALT LAKE CITY During a nine-month of the school. They not, in the past, accepted their own responsibility for school failures. In program was manifest. Teachers thought that algebraic to unemployment increase as continues long to as provided rise. learners: children the cut-off point for the mentally retarded. the children who grad retention and depressed self-concept. experience success at their school years. This not in the past been with a program designed specifically to meet its needs. Answers to a. questionnaire overall welfare gain in not known, regarding negativism in elementary it would appear a school system can’ schools was obtained from teachers best serve its community be making and principals. All principals a special effort on the education of interviewed stated that negative the children of Welfare families. behaviors in pupils increase as they The seriousness of the economics advance to higher grades. A involved has led to the majority of respondents said more establishment of 14 agencies boys than girls show negative outside the schools which have attitudes. In their opinion, boys are -developed programs in the interest more resistant to regimentation of dropouts. This figure does not include the efforts of churches. In spite of this widespread concern, the dropout abated, but than are girls. A methods modified majority believe and programs should be in the interest of boys. It problem has not was found in the Central City on the contr ary schools visited, teachers encounter continues to plague everyone involved. The problem is evidently teacher who had been employed in Wasatch Front districts, made this report: Average number of pupils, 30-35, Slow learners, 50%; Troublemakers, 59%: Highly being attacked by treating These teachers seemed to be at a creative, 5%. Creative students, symptoms at the secondary levels. loss to interpret this situation. 6th hampered by caustic remarks from In the opinion of many responsible grade teachers reported a lack of classmates, seemed bored, people not enough effort is being basic experience in pupils which unmotivated and hostile. Most directed at causes which are would enable them to understand dropouts were able students, generated in the child's early years. ma terial they read phonetically. expelled for bad behavior, long One teacher who had had hair, drug abuse, etc. Counseling Most investigators believe the ex perience not seem to mitigate the in suburban schools, did single and most important factor in reported a profound difference in dropout problem. System the dropout problem is home reading ability and comprehension regulations were ignored by able influence. School administrators between suburban and Central City teachers. The ex-teacher who gave have taken advantage of this pupils. A dissatisfaction with the this information believes the system a strange apathy in their pupils... a lack of motivation and aspiration. board members were not really knowledgable about conditions in the schools. It did not appear they were fulfilling their pledge to the parents who elected them to safeguard the education of their children. The problem of drug abuse in the secondary schools has caused nation-wide consternation. Governor Rampton’s Citizen's Advisory Committee reported an increase in Salt Lake High Schools for the time period of (Continued on Page 10) one year,. - |