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An Alternative Program for a Secondary School. Introduction. Modern secondary school faces a great amount of problems which require precise and thorough investigation and application of different including alternative methods of solution. Potential dropping out. According to School Improvement Research Series (1995), dropping out from school is a complex social problem. In 1993 National Education Goals Report indicated that the school completion rate among students at the age of 19 - 20 remained relatively stable since a marked growth in early 1980 s. [ 2 ].
The consequences of this process include the following: limited employment opportunities for dropouts, the growing rate of engagement in high-risk behaviors (alcohol and drug abuse, violence and crime, suicide etc. ), lower rates of incomes of dropouts in comparison with those who completed education, growth of unskilled laborers of low-waged jobs. [ 2 ]. There are factors stated at School Dropout Prevention (2001), which influence the decision to drop out of school. They are: poor academic performance, poor behavioral adjustment, truancy and tardiness, negative attitudes, families, social isolation, rigid school policies, communities. [ 7 ]. Retention. There are five specific reasons for retention identified by the National Association of School Psychologists.
They are: poor reading and math skills, immaturity, frequent moves or absences, limited English skills, and poor performance on standard tests. [ 4 ]. The problem of retention at school has been thoroughly investigated by the scientists since the close of the 20 th century. According to Denton's summary (2001) there were such research findings about retention: fifteen to twenty percent of all students repeat at least one grade between the ages of 6 and 17; seven million of todays elementary and secondary students will be retained at least once; poor or minority students are two to three times more likely than others to be retained; the highest retention rates are in grade 9, not in early elementary school. [ 4 ]. Low Scores.
Steve Fachler (2004) stated that is common for dropouts. [ 8 ]. Academic difficulties and low scores discourage students and reduce their motivation to continue study. But dropouts as a matter of fact have average and above average intellectual ability. Radwanski in Ontario Study of the Relevance of Education and the Issue of Dropouts (1987) found that 82 % dropouts of Ontario had failed at least one high school subject, compared to 50 % of the students who graduated. [ 8 ].
Steve Fachler thinks that the at-risk youth may lie in non-adaptive behaviors. [ 8 ]. Potential dropouts fail to realize the relationship between effort and success. As a rule they have a low self-concept and have much difficulty to cope with the school milieu. Truancy. Steve Fachler thinks that attendance is an issue for school dropouts. [ 8 ].
Dropouts are absent and late for classes more frequently than their peers. As a result potential dropouts fail to get involved in their schools. According to A Resource Guide (1999) high absentee rate may have such poor consequences: sporadic instruction; inability to comprehend material; incomplete or missing homework assignments; lack of connection with the school and school-related activities; being labeled as unmotivated and uncooperative. [ 1 ]. Negative behaviors.
According to Gilbert (1994), behavior problems go hand-in-hand with dropping out of school. [ 3 ]. The researchers Ramberger and Larson (1998) stated that students who leave early more frequently conflict with administrators and teachers than graduates. [ 6 ]. More than that dropouts do not accept the system of school discipline. Motsinger (1993) wrote that potential dropouts perceive discipline system at school as unfair. [ 5 ].
Bibliography: A Resource Guide of Best Practices for Pregnant and Parenting Teen Programs. Center for Schools and Communities. April 27, 1999. 12 Jan. 2005 < web > E. Gregory Woods. Reducing the Dropout Rate. School Improvement Research Series.
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. 2001. 12 Jan. 2005 < web > Gilbert, S. (1994). Predicting School Leavers and Graduates. Education Quarterly Review, 57 - 62 Jay Smith. Bulletin. Alternatives to Retention. Principals.
org. Vol. 85 No. 629. December 2001. 12 Jan. 2005 < web > Motsinger, H. (1993). Recipe for Success: Factors That Help Students To Succeed.
NASSP Bulletin, September, 1993, 6 - 16. Rumberger, R. & Larson, K. (1998). Student Mobility and the Increased Risk of High School Dropout. American Journal of Education, Vol. 107, No. 1, 1 - 35. School Dropout Prevention. Anchorage School District Psychology Department.
Psych Savvy. April, 2001. 12 Jan. 2005 < web > Steve Fachler. Predictors and Characteristics of Dropouts. December, 2004. 12 Jan. 2005 < web >
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Research essay sample on An Alternative Program For A Secondary School Introduction
