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High School Drop-Out Prevention - New Jersey

Page history last edited by m.aquino100 10 years, 11 months ago

Note: please note that this page should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

 

  • Link here to the overview page:  

 

 

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future


  • It is apparent that the Urban schools within the State of New Jersey have extremely high drop out rates, coupled with the graduating students facing hardships when applying to colleges.
  • It is also apparent that the Suburban schools within the State of New Jersey have much higher graduation rates than that of the Urban school districts, as well as more opportunities to continue their education.
  • Although personal choice is of course a factor, there are other factors that must be ruled into the analyzing of the issues that grip the Urban schools.
  • Families in Urban areas are suffer from poverty and high rates of crime and violence. At times there are few options for young students to provide for their families, and few options for parents to provide for their children other than illegal activities.
  • When school children participate in illegal activities, it is less likely that they will graduate and continue on to college 

 

 

Past Policy  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.


  • Increase parental involvement

    • Hold parents responsible for Student's decisions outside of school

    • Hold parents responsible if they are aware of students' involvement in illegal activities 

    • Encourage parents to get more involved in student activities at school  

  • Forbid students from participating in extra curriculum activities for illegal behavior outside of schools.

  • Reform disciplinary protocols that inhibit the teachers from intervining in school fights.

  • Having multiple police officers on school grounds.

  • Teach religion on public schools... 

  • The D.A.R.E. Program, to prevent drug usage.

  • Various ideas to reform the school curricula

    • "Legislating Morality"; Requiring students to take classes on morality and ethics.

    • Require classes on business and interviewing ethics/skills for Juniors and Seniors 

  • Chicago has offered gift cards to various department stores in exchange for parents involvement at home, in school, PTA meetings, as well as extra curricular activities.

  • Pay students to stay in school and attend a certain percentage of total school days required for the school year.

  • Pay students a stipend that will increase/decrease based off of GPA increases/decreases

    • Also reward students for higher scores on standardized testing. 

 

 

Current Policy  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

 

  • The goal of my legislation will be to combine all of aspects of multiple approaches to offer financial incentives to students and to parents into a single bill that would better accommodate the Urban families of New Jersey.

  • In order to combat the graduation rates, and keep students interested in graduating high school it is necessary to:

 

  • Enact a statewide program that would reward students for 1) Attendance, 2)Overall GPA, and 3) Standardized test scores.

      • The reward money would be placed into a private account the students can access upon graduation.

      • Students have been shown to be highly motivated by monetary incentives.   

    • Also, a program similar to that of New York should be enacted to aid Urban families for purchasing health care insurance and going to a set percentage of required medical check ups.

      • Based off of Brazil's Bolsa Familia: Some families in extreme poverty will earn more than others.

      • Mexico's Opportunidades is also based off of Bolsa Familia and is extremely successful.

    • Ohio and Illinois have started to enact policies that use gift cards to local stores to encourage BOTH the student, to graduate, and the parent to remain active in the student's academic life based off of test scores and mandatory PTA meetings.

     

    Key Organizations/Individuals   contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals


    • Government
      • In reality, the state governments are going to have to take the most responsibility for this issue as they are the only organization that could use tax payer dollars to motivate Urban students to attend school.
    • Non-Profit - Service Providing
      • Select department stores could provide rewards programs to enoucrage students to stay in schools.
    • Non-Profit - Advocacy/Membership/Network
      •  
    • Foundation
      •  
    • Other
      •  

     

     

    Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material 


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