Abstract
Intergenerational literacy refers to the cycle of low literacy that exists in families. This paper will examine intergenerational illiteracy and programs that increase family literacy while decreasing high school dropout. To answer the question; Does intergenerational illiteracy affect educational achievement and what can be done to decrease intergenerational illiteracy and increase literacy education levels? This paper will analyze research that shows the connection between parental literacy and the lower educational attainment of children and will present solutions for increasing literacy in the family thus helping parents and potentially preventing high school dropout.
Introduction
$10,510, that’s how much less a high school dropout earns annually than an individual with a high school diploma according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A dropout is less likely to be employed, more likely to be incarcerated and more likely to live in poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, due to incarceration, less paid in taxes and other factors a high school dropout costs taxpayers $292,000 over their lifetime. The financial costs alone should be enough to find ways to increase graduation rates. Research has shown early predictors of dropout are parental education level and early low literacy in the child. Families from one generation to another have a difficult time escaping poverty and families from one generation to another have difficulty improving literacy
In today’s society it has become even more crucial to obtain knowledge and graduate from high school. In the article “The True Cost of High School Dropouts” Henry M. Levin and Cecilia E. Rouse explain that the dropout rate imposes a heavy cost on the economy. Henry M. Levin is a professor of economics and education at Columbia University. Cecilia E. Rouse is a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University. She also was a member of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers from 2009 to 2011. This article was found on “The New York Times” and was published Jan. 25th, 2012. They begin with stating the facts and giving sources to build credibility. They then go into what is being done wrong and what needs to be done in order to improve.
from high school?” This is one shocking statistic from Teach for America among many that show how poverty is related to education inequality. According to WKNO front line, “The average dropout can expect to earn an annual income of $20,241, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s a full $10,386 less than the typical high school graduate, and $36,424 less than someone with a bachelor’s degree.” So just looking at those numbers alone, it is obvious how poverty and education relate and it is obvious we need to do something to keep these kids in school and make sure they are getting the best education available to reduce their likelihood of being in poverty.
Obtaining an education is essential in today’s society. Most students who attend school on a regular basis usually succeed in life. On the other hand, many students fail to attend school every day which can lead to problems in schools. However, some students have acceptable reasons for dropping out. As a result, a student’s punctuality can ultimately alter his or her education. On that note, dropping out of high school can affect an individual in many ways throughout the years. Schools are facing challenges dealing with high dropout rates, high rates of truancy, and low graduation rates because students are failing to attend school.
The current situation of high school students dropping out has been steadily declining since the early 1990’s. This could serve society very well if that trend continues to a point where dropping out of high school become relatively unheard of. A social dysfunction of high school is that it creates a class system between those with a high school diploma and those without one. The manifest function of high school is to provide people with the skills and critical thinking ability to obtain some type base level skilled work as well as provides a way to help keep kids safe and out of trouble. In contrast, a high school dropout would have none of those functions and would likely not be employed in skilled work and as a result might have to turn to criminal activities for an income.
In October 2000, the overall picture of high school dropouts had changed little since the late 1980s (Kaufman et al. 2001): For every 100 young adults enrolled in high school in October 1999, 5 had left school without completing a program; of 34.6 million U.S. young adults aged 16-24, 3.8 million—almost 11 percent—had not completed high school and were not enrolled. Some studies have shown that students in schools with a concentration of multiple risk factors (e.g., large schools, large classes, high poverty, inner city location) have less than one chance in two of graduating from high school; furthermore, the economic costs of dropping out have increased as time goes on (Castellano et al. 2001). Adjusting for 50
From 1972 to 2006 high school dropout rates decreased from 6.1 percent to 3.8 percent. A majority of this decline occurred between 1972 and 1990, when the rate dropped to 4 percent. However, from 1990 to 1995 there was a surprising increase in dropout rates (Laird & others, 2008). Since then there have been numerous debates and discussions on the issue of dropout rates and how to handle them appropriately. From the information above, it is very evident that the United States wasn’t directly involved with the matter. As a result, stated before, President Barack Obama made his claim towards this issue. This urged most states across the nation to raise the dropout age (Ho, 2017). In fact, a study co-authored by Alan Krueger, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, found that in some states approximately 25 percent of potential dropouts stayed in school since the compulsory schooling age was moved to 18. With an additional year of schooling that 25 percent will increase their earnings by at least 7 percent when
Across the United States, high school students can encounter a variety of issues that hinder their ability to successfully complete course work to earn the required credits towards graduation. High schools across the United States have an obligation to ensure that students are achieving and receiving a diploma. It is also in the school’s best interest to ensure students are gradating both funding wise and for the overall school rating. When a student does not receive a high school diploma the action affects the student, community and the school. High school dropouts may find it harder to obtain a job that would provide a stable and productive income verses a high school graduate thus, the financial disadvantage in turn can cause
The American Psychological Association says, “Poverty and dropouts are inextricably connected in the three primary settings affecting healthy child and adolescent development: families, schools and communities. In 2009, poor (bottom 20 percent of all family incomes) students were five times more likely to dropout of high school than high-income (top 20 percent of all family incomes) students. Child poverty is rampant in the U.S., with more than 20 percent of school-age children living in poor families.” It’s important that students stay in school and get what they need to graduate, so they can find a real working job to help boost them on their feet to get out of living in poverty. Another reason why it’s a problem that most people living in poverty have a higher rate of dropping out because low income students are six times more likely to dropout of high school. The Washington Post talked about how when teenagers drop out of high school because they need to earn money, they earn about a quarter of all of their family savings which puts them just above the line of who are in poverty, and who are not. Of all who drop out to work, 42% of families get about a quarter or more of their yearly income from their child. It’s important that students don’t drop out of high school because they could end up getting a higher education from graduating, which means they could get a better job with a higher
In the documentary Guggenheim says that “In America right now, a kid drops out of high school every 26 seconds. These drop-outs are eight times more likely to go to prison, 50% less likely to vote, more likely to need social welfare assistance, not eligible for 90% of jobs, are being paid 40 cents to the dollar of earned by a college graduate, and continuing the cycle of poverty” (Waiting for "Superman"). This means in 10 minutes about 20 students drop out of high school. With this statistic Guggenheim easily is able to show the seriousness of this issue. After dropping out of high school, a student pretty much suffers their entire life.
In addition, high school dropouts have caused many hardships that negatively affect the American economy. Individuals, who have not received high school credentials, live such experiences as poverty, unemployment, teenage parenthood, and criminal activity (Esch, 2003). For example, without the minimum of a high school diploma, individuals are susceptible to a cycle of poverty (AYPF, 2006). Esch (2003) explained that in any given year, the likelihood of slipping into poverty is about three times higher for high school dropouts than for those who finish high school. He mentioned that high school dropouts lack many skills to be hired for decent jobs; therefore, students are more susceptible to be dependent on the public assistance. Researchers revealed that if one third of high school dropouts were to remain in school and earn a diploma, the federal government would save almost 11 billion annually from reducing funds needed for food stamps, housing
High school dropouts are not only facing a miserable situation in the rest of lives but also
Derek Bok, the former president of Harvard University, famously said "if you think education is expensive, try ignorance". Despite the significant advances we have made in the last hundred years, and even in the last decade, there remains an endless list of problems with our public education systems. In fact, even though the U.S. have some of the best higher education institutions in the world, we nonetheless consistently failed to be recognized as a true leader in public education at the K-12 level. Take this statistic for example: between 1990 and 2010, the high school dropout rate only fell by 3%, from 12.1% to 7.4%. Put simply, over the two decades on average 1.2 million students (7,000/day) dropped out of high school. While these numbers have improved in the last five years, many students—especially those of color in urban areas—are still consistently facing a significant roadblock to high school graduation: school absences due to suspensions.
The number of high school dropouts is ever decreasing due to the increase in competitiveness in all job markets. Without at least a high school diploma or equivalent, a person is rarely going to be hired over someone with the required credentials. Many entry-level employers (that pay tax to the government and are filed properly) will require a high school diploma or equivalent. The reason for this is that the standard education that is required is there for a reason. Standard public schools are designed to teach students basic societal needs like being literate and being able to do mathematics. This is why the employer would want these credentials. Although not very impressive, it is the bare minimum to the government, and therefore the minimum for most entry level
In North Carolina, from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015 there was a 6.6 percent increase in crime rates within schools for high schools, also during this time there was a 4.8 percent increase in dropouts (Hinchcliffe, 2016). For the school year of 2014-2015 the dropout rate was 2.39 percent, which was a increase compared to the previous year that had a rate of 2.28 percent (The Progressive Pulse, 2016). High school dropouts are known to face issues in their future in regards to their socioeconomic status, job attainment, and other risk factors that may influence their lives in the long-term. It has been found that high school dropouts earn an estimated $9,000 less per year on average compared to individuals that graduate. They are also more likely to live in poverty, it was also found that dropouts are three times more likely to be unemployed compared to graduates which puts them at a further disadvantage (Burrus & Roberts, 2012). The consequences of dropping out not only affects the individuals but also our society, due to its contributions to governmental costs; in 2001 there were 40% of high school dropouts (16-24 years old) receiving government assistance (Burrus & Roberts, 2012).. This portrays how high school dropouts leads to further problems and affect others.
There are 1.2 million high school dropouts in the US every year. In the city of Milwaukee only 61% of high school students actually receive a high school diploma.