Risk and Protective Factors Associated With High School Graduation - Research Proposal Example

An investigation of the Risk and Protective Factors Associated with High School Graduation Rates in the United s Department Professor Date Table of Contents Abstract 3 Statistics 3 Background 4 Problem statement 6 Thesis question 6 Purpose of the study 7 Research method 8 Targeted sample 8 References 9 Abstract The united state of America is current facing a downfall trend in the matters of education and graduation of high school students. Schools across the country are faced with the challenge of students drop out before high school graduation. The central question that players in the education sector have what they can do to help implement programs that can lead to an increase the number of graduating students (Rumberger, 2013). In 2012, United States of America faced a dropout crisis with an estimation of 1.1 million students in the 2012 class that did not earn a diploma (p.354). Experts have estimated between 3.5 million and 6 million American students between ages 16 and 24 dropped out of schools for the last two years (Haskins, 2010). Statistics About 50 percent of minors fail to graduate with their class. African Americans tend to drop out higher than other minorities, which creates significant problems for them (Kogan et.al, 2005). For the class of 2013 84.1% of African Americans graduated, American Indian graduated 85.8%, Asian graduated at 93.8%, Hispanic at 85.1% and white at 93% according to Texas Education Agency 2012-2013. African Americans had the highest longitudinal dropout rate across racial/ethnic groups (9.9%), followed by Hispanics (8.2%). Asians had the lowest longitudinal dropout rate (3.0%), followed by White (3.5%) and multiracial students (4.4%). In the class of 2013, a total of 21,634 students dropped out in Texas. Females had a higher graduation rate of 90.3% compared to males with 85.9% (Texas Education Agency, 2013). Each state is experiencing the same trouble with a large percentage of students not graduating, so as a nation we are losing. In Texas, a total of 3,187 students dropped out of Grades 7-8, and 31,509 dropped out of Grades 9-12. The Grade 7-8 and Grade 9-12 dropout rates were 0.4 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. The Grade 7-8 rate increased 0.1 percentage points from the 2011-12 school year, and the Grade 9-12 decreased 0.2 percentage points (TEA, 2013). In the school district that I work in which is Klein ISD, in 2010 Klein saw an increase in graduation rate. In May of 2010, 84.3% of the students statewide graduated while Klein ISD had a 92.6% completion rate. Background information The student dropout rate has been an area of concern for many years in the United States. Programs are being implemented to help improve our nation’s battle with graduation. In 1984 House Bill 72 was passed to implement a system for collecting data on student dropouts. In 2009 House Bill 3 was passed to add postsecondary readiness as a factor to determine school accountability. In Texas, Dropout prevention has been a priority for Texas going back to the 1980s. However, since 2003, Texas has been more proactive and aggressive in addressing issues related to dropout prevention, high school completion, and college and career readiness. These efforts have largely been the catalyst for Texas’ increasing success. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools with high dropout rates, as identified by the commissioner are required to submit a plan that identifies how compensatory education allotment and high school allotment will be used for developing and implementing research-based strategies for dropout prevention (Texas Education Agency, 2013). In 2009 student of the bottom 20 percent of income families were five times more likely to drop out of high school than high-income students. Students who drop out of school increase their chances of unemployment, lower marriage rates, increase of criminal background, and ill health. If students are presented with this information maybe, it might help catch their attention and inspire them to continue their education. All of these problems don’t only affect the individual, but it cripples our society. We aren’t the top nation in education and school dropouts play a part in that. The rising costs of prisons are an issue in almost every state budget, and more than two-thirds of the prisoners are school dropouts. In 2006 67 percent of births outside of marriage were from young dropouts and only 10 percent of births for women who held a master’s degree. When children are born out of wedlock, the family is 5 to 6 times more likely to live in poverty. These examples create substantial public costs to our nation. The most efficient way to later prevent students from dropping out is to provide the best classroom instruction from an early age. In 1984 House Bill 72 was passed to make a system to document data on schools dropout rate. Research also shows the family involvement has a positive correlation with the student’s success in school. Having an after school activity fulfills the learning gap to help prevent student failure and also inspire their interest in a variety of ways. Having alternative schooling helps the dropouts have options to help them graduate. Active learning engages students and promotes a learning environment. When challenged students create new creative ways to solve problems and become lifelong learners. It is the educator job to help show students the different ways of learning. Using technology is also a key factor in helping keeping the students engaged and delivering information. Teachers must also know that all students learn differently, so each student has to learn individually. It contributes to teach using different methods to help make sure that all pupils are reached. Having professional developments for teachers helps give us that support system and can help develop our methods and skills about learning strategies. Statement of the problem Our nation is behind in education from a global perspective. Students in the United States are struggling to make graduation, with African Americans finishing last. The programs that we have in store to help improve the graduation rate need to be evaluated and implemented across the nation so that we can get all schools on board. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to investigate various factors that lead to the high rate of high school dropout. In addition, the study will focus on different methods that can be implemented in order to cub this societal evil. Research theory For students to grow and develop in education, they have to be physically in the classroom setting. When we have student out roaming the streets, they are losing in education, and we are losing as a society in whole. When students are in the classroom, the country is assured of having future teachers, doctors, lawyers, congressmen and astronomer, just to mention but a few.. As a community, we can do something to help improve the dropout rate of students around the nation. When we have our students in school, they will not only have a chance to learn but also we are also progressing as a nation, we all know that children are the future. There are strategies that have been put into effect that helps reduce our schools dropout rate. Schools must have a prevention plan, including conflict resolution, must deal with any potential violence. Having a safe learning environment provides daily experiences that enhance positive social attitudes and promotes a learning environment. When all groups in the community show support for the school it helps promote a caring and supportive environment. “Birth-to-five interventions demonstrate that providing a child additional enrichment can enhance brain development” (National Dropout Prevention Center, 2014). It takes a village to raise a child. When there is a support system it helps to motivate and inspire us to do better. When a student drops out of high school they experience some crucial long-term consequences for themselves and society. Experts have estimated between 3.5 million and 6 million American students between ages 16 and 24 dropped out of schools. As a nation, we have to help reduce the number of adolescent’s dropouts and assist the dropouts get back on the right track. The programs that we have in the U.S. should be developed and shared so that we it can contribute to reducing our nation’s dropout rate. Dropping out of high school has serious long-term consequences not only for individuals but also for society. Scholars in America that do not graduate from high school end up hurting themselves in the long run. There are some disturbing relations linked with students who drop out of school and having a miserable life. Those students who drop out are more than likely to live with low income. The Census Bureau conducted a study 1965 to 2005, of median family’s that didn’t finish high school compared to adults who completed multiple levels of education. In 2005 school drop outs earned $15,700 less than those who graduated high school. They made over $35,000 less than people who completed a two-year degree. Research method The method of research that will be used is the survey research method. In the survey, two variables will be considered. The variable that are independent are whether the participants dropped out of school and which kind of life they lead afterword. The other variable will include the behavior therapy conducted on learners under rehabilitation. The study will identify random samples of students in different states. Furthermore, this research will extend its hand to reach a sample of students who dropped out of school many years ago. References Goisman, R. M. (2007).Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention. (2014, January 1). Bloom, D., & Haskins, R. (2010, January 1). Helping High School Dropouts Improve Their Prospects. Rumberger, R. (2013, May 1).Poverty and High School Dropouts in America. Tyler, J., &Lofstrom, M. (2009).Finishing High School: Alternative Pathways and Dropout Recovery.The Future of Children, 19(1). Read More