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Education: Diploma Dilemmas

By KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant

According to a recent Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial, a person's chance of earning a high wage is dramatically reduced without a high school diploma. For reasons that aren't fully understood, though, an alarming percentage of teenagers continue drop out of school. Although schools constantly work to improve their curriculum as well as offer additional support programs, for one reason or another kids continue to drop out before earning their high school diploma.

Some have to juggle family or work obligations that take priority over school. Others feel that schools have nothing to teach them, so they aren't willing to make the effort to continue. Still others feel out of touch with school, or perhaps do not relate well to their peers. Peers (along with positive, adult role models) are important for young adults —look at this example of how a local school creates support and fosters a caring environment for situations that are hard for students to deal with.

Although dropping out may temporarily relieve an uncomfortable situation, those who leave school may not be aware of possible, long-term impacts of their decision. Besides limiting one's earning potential, there is a direct relationship between dropping out and getting into trouble with the law. Sometimes when kids drop out, it's hard to find productive activities. Juvenile crime is markedly higher among dropouts.

For those who stay in school, experiences can be memorable. Some area seniors were recently asked about their favorite high school memories. Read what they had to say about some of their most magic moments. According to that article's headline, one "Incredible Journey Ends;" however, for some high school graduates another journey is just beginning. After earning their diplomas, many students choose to continue their education by attending a college or university. Read what some recent college graduates had to say about college and their job prospects.

Did you know that Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) is not just for college students? Community colleges typically offer great support services to help kids get their high school diplomas. DBCC's adult high school and GED (General Education Diploma) classes are free and take place continuously. For many who are unable to stay in school, earning a high school diploma or GED through an alternative education program is an attractive option. The programs are also a boon for those who work and/or care for children while they are earning their high school credits. Imagine how proud the sisters in the linked newspaper story were as they realized their shared dream of getting a GED. If you would like to get a high school diploma but it seems like a scary prospect, consider sharing your goal with a friend—or even a family member.

The word "dilemma" is defined by Webster's Dictionary as having to choose between two paths or options that are equally unpleasant. In this issue, the dilemma is whether to exert the effort required to stay in (or return to) school to earn a diploma, or else to become a statistic—perhaps increasing the risk of getting into trouble, being stuck in a dead-end job or closing doors to some of life's opportunities. Whether you stay in school or, instead, decide to get your GED, earning a high school diploma may be one of the best things you ever do for yourself!

Try these interesting activities using The News-Journal

1. Open the Help Wanted section of The News-Journal. In that section, the ads are grouped into categories by headings ("Crafts/Trades," "Medical" and "Professional" are examples of headings). Familiarize yourself with all of the headings and then choose three or more that interest you. Next, use a highlighter to randomly select several ads from each category you chose. Read through each highlighted ad, note the minimum educational requirements (if provided) and devise a chart to show whether there is a relationship between education achieved and the types of jobs available. What educational level is typically required for jobs in your area of interest? What is a typical salary for the kind of work you're interested in? Discuss your findings with a friend or classmate. (Sunshine State Standards LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.1, SS.C.2.2.2, SS.D.1.2.1, SS.D.1.2.5, SS.D.2.2.2)

2. Figure out what year you will graduate high school. Scan The News-Journal for articles that will help you predict what careers will probably be in demand near the time you graduate. Speak to your school guidance counselor or other adult about a career field that interests you. (Sunshine State Standards SS.C.2.2.2, SS.D.1.2.1, SS.D.1.2.5, SS.D.2.2.2)

3. While most students graduate at age 18, some take longer to fulfill their dreams. Read, if you haven't already done so, the newspaper piece about a man who overcame many hardships to finally graduate—at the age of 90! Use The News-Journal to find and read articles about others who have triumphed over hardship to fulfill their own dreams. What important things do you dream of doing? Write an outline of how you can make those dreams come true. (Sunshine State Standards SS.C.2.2.2, SS.C.2.2.4)

4. Some students are determined to make every moment of high school count. They join clubs, become involved in school sports, contribute to their school yearbook, participate in extracurricular activities and/or volunteer in their community. Scan The News-Journal for articles and photos about such students. Clip out those about students you admire, and hang them on a bulletin board for inspiration! The students who apply for the Medallion of Excellence awards sponsored by The News-Journal are outstanding examples of well-rounded, highly achieving students. Read about the accomplishments of this year's winners and chart a course to join them. (Sunshine State Standards SS.C.2.2.2, SS.C.2.2.4)

5. Studies also suggest that people who enjoy, and are good at, reading are not as likely to drop out as are struggling readers. Turn to your favorite section of The News-Journal and read for as long as you have time. You'll have fun while you improve your reading skills at the same time! Later, discuss what you read with a family member. (Sunshine State Standards LA.A.2.2.5, LA.C.3.2.2, SS.C.2.2.2)

A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org.

Check out these links to learn more

What factors influence dropping out? What can be done to reduce drop out rates? Take a look at this page of Problems and Solutions on the topic of dropping out. Related links include some helpful sites for teens.

Recently, new information has become available to help people understand why some kids don't finish school and what happens to them after dropping out. You can compare statistics on Earnings and Opportunities between those who drop out and students who earn the General Education Diploma (GED) and also find out who is at greatest risk for dropping out—and how to lessen that risk.

Did you know that there is a strong relationship between being truant, dropping out of school and getting arrested? There appears to be a strong relationship between high truancy rates and juvenile crime rates in many communities. This Department of Justice web page for Kids and Youth explains some support programs that help teenagers get back to school, stay in school and earn their high school diplomas.

The GED is an alternative way to earn a high school diploma for many youth who, for one reason or another, are unable to stay in high school. GEDs are sometimes obtained by taking accelerated classes and a GED test. You can find out more at the official site of the GED Testing Service.

Your local Public Television station, WCEU-TV Channel 15, offers comprehensive information about the GED. At the web site, click on "GED Connection" for everything you need to know about getting your diploma. You can use the site to find the nearest testing center, order (or use online) free study guides and even take a practice exam.

If you have no ideas what occupation you would like to train for, visit www.nieworld.com and, under Noteworthy, in the upper right-hand corner, click on Occupational Handbook. A variety of occupations are described there.

Good reading skills are important—not only while in school but also during your whole adult life. Fortunately, the more you read, the better your reading will most likely become! Newspapers are a great resource for practicing reading, and there are many newspapers available through the World Wide Web.

The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published May 27, 2002

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