School will Have to Improve Dropout Rates

Did you know that the nation's dismal dropout rate in high schools if one in four students. I was really surprised to learn that it was that high. If you don't have a diploma and at least a year of college these days, it is really hard to get a job. The Federal Government is putting pressure on high schools to improve this dropout rate.

From now on schools and states now must track and lift the graduation rates for all students, including minorities and students with disabilities. This is under rules issued Tuesday by education Secretary Margaret Spellings. A school might have a high graduation rate but still have a low rate for black or Hispanic students or for kids with disabilities. Making schools responsible for progress in every group of students puts pressure on schools to improve. I think there is room for improvement in all schools, starting with the colleges that turn out the teachers.