Shaming statistics:

• 75% of High School Students don't graduate in Detroit.
• 30% nationwide of students don't graduate from High School in the US
• There are schools in Los Angeles that have a 60% drop out rate (I did my student teaching in one. Nice kids, but so sad).

I find the overall state of Education in the US sad. The US seems to do a poor job with the lowest performing, and a great job with the higher performing students. With the disappearance of most high paying jobs that need limited education in the US that can support a family, this is a big concern as a society. As a parent there is a lot you can do to help your child. Many Chinese in the US have figured out the system enabling their kids to go to great colleges/universities.

Some articles in the new section School Tips & Education Articles:

• Chinese Students - What can be Learned from them for Getting Good Grades?
• Time Management Tips for Middle School Students
• Rubric - What it is and how use it to improve your grade!

So why do I care about this? I have a Teaching Credential and education is highly important to my family. And yes, may be someday I will go back to teaching, because I do enjoy making a difference. That is the great feature of teaching, that you can make a difference in a person's life that can change their life, it usually makes up for all the negatives.

Reference/Resources:

• Fear, despair in L.A.'s poorest schools
• Op-Ed Contributor: A Nation at a Loss
• Study Suggests Math Teachers Scrap Balls and Slices
• First to Worse - California's School Special Report on Frontline
• School Tips & Education Articles
• A series of LA Times articles about the drop out rate
• Grades, Study Skills, and College Admission Books

Labels: Education, Education Improvements