Outline

=**Thesis:**= High schools today are becoming ineffective in preparing students for college and real world jobs of today's society.

=Intro= =How is education failing?= A. High school success rating 1. 68.6% graduation rating in the U.S. 2.6.2 million students between ages 16 and 24 in 2007 dropped out of high school; represents 16% of all people in that U.S. age range in 2007 3. 7,000 students drop out every day 4. Only 70% of students graduate with a regular high school diploma B. Success of college students 1. Only 33% of Americans graduate from college 2. Lower in the international standings; Norway, Britain and the Netherlans have advanced before U.S. never before seen in international statistics 3. Average grade point average for college students at U of A is 3.59 4. Freshmen retention rate for U of A is 72.5%

=Skills taught are irrelevant.= A. Tests given to measure success are inacurate and unnecessary 1. Test are supposedly given to help schools known which areas they need to improve in, but is now a reflection of the student. These tests are no longer kept private either. For students in California, their results are posted on the California Department of Education website. 2. Teachers are now teaching students how to pass state tests, instead of giving students a proper education they deserve and are going to school to recieve. The lessons they are taught will allow them to pass the state tests but will not help them in their jobs after high school. B. Even school officals are saying that what they are teaching is not what needs to be learned for students success. 1. Jon Sonstelie says, "A key benefit of state tests is identifying when students are failing to read and as well as learn basic math." But he also argues, "We've probably gone overboard -- more tests than we need." Jon Sonstelie= of the authors of the 2006 book "Schools Resources and Academic Standards in California: Lessons from the Schoolhouse," and an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara 2. Cedar Lane teacher Jens Nielsen said, "The state tests' emphasis on language arts and math can mean that science, history and other subjects don't get as much as attention." 3. Cedar Lane instructor Jones says, "It seems we're always trying to get ready for the next test."

**How can education be changed to lower the dropout/failing rate and increase graduation rate?**
A. Bring education to a personal level 1. Every person is different. Everyone learns at different speeds. 2. Have a conference with students before failing or dropping out to help students plan what would be the best courses and tracks for them to be on. Example: "exit interviews". B. Give students help, hope, and the drive to finish school and continue to college 1. Lindsay Boswell started in the Street School in Tulsa after leaving her old high school because she felt she could not succeed there. She became a crystal meth user, but once she came to this school she was able to get the help she needed and started her journey to a new education. Her school no longer felt like a prison, but a place to get help and true knowledge that would help her succeed in any area of her choosing. 2. Lori McGinnis-Madland, the program's executive director for Street school, says, "It's a common misconception that Street School is for bad kids. Lots of situations keep at-risk students from being successful, from drugs problems and family turmoil to being bullied at school or harassed because of their sexual orientation." By her giving this program to students, this gives some students who normally wouldn't have a chance at a decent education, a chance to become the great people they were destined to be.

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