2008 Woodie Awards
Rutherford County high school dropout rates increase
Tiffany Gibson
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
Despite a recent increase in the graduation rate, Rutherford County high schools continue their fight against an increasing dropout rate.
As of 2007, the graduation rate of high schools in Rutherford County was 89 percent with fewer seniors progressing to graduation.
In essence, graduation for high school seniors is approaching quickly and local high schools such as Blackman and Oakland have fewer students within the eleventh and twelfth grades due to high school students dropping out to get their General Education Development certificate.
"High schools get blamed for graduation rates, but we get kids that are not ready for high school," said Diana Brown, Oakland graduation coach. "It's a collection of 'K' through 12 problems."
Assistant Principal John Strickland of Blackman High School believes the dropout rate is increasing because parents do not care nor give their children the attention they need; therefore, the students drop out to pursue jobs and other activities.
"Every time a student wants to drop out, I meet with him or her in my office," Strickland said. "I have not once met with a parent."
Strickland said that with today's technology, teachers and parents are often competing for teenagers' attention.
"When students have cell phones or other devices they have bills to pay for them, so they get jobs that take away from their schoolwork and attendance," Strickland said. "Those who miss more than 10 days a semester are more likely to fail, and seniors who miss twice the amount of days as others are more likely to fail too."
According to the Tennessee 2004 Report Card, the attendance of students at Blackman High School was at 95 percent; however, the graduation rate peaked at 87 percent. Within three years, Blackman has been able to raise the graduation rate by two percent.
In order to encourage students, Blackman has set forth several programs to increase knowledge and success. One of these programs is known as the freshman academy, which serves as an academic support system for incoming freshman whose grades are below average.
As of 2007, the graduation rate of high schools in Rutherford County was 89 percent with fewer seniors progressing to graduation.
In essence, graduation for high school seniors is approaching quickly and local high schools such as Blackman and Oakland have fewer students within the eleventh and twelfth grades due to high school students dropping out to get their General Education Development certificate.
"High schools get blamed for graduation rates, but we get kids that are not ready for high school," said Diana Brown, Oakland graduation coach. "It's a collection of 'K' through 12 problems."
Assistant Principal John Strickland of Blackman High School believes the dropout rate is increasing because parents do not care nor give their children the attention they need; therefore, the students drop out to pursue jobs and other activities.
"Every time a student wants to drop out, I meet with him or her in my office," Strickland said. "I have not once met with a parent."
Strickland said that with today's technology, teachers and parents are often competing for teenagers' attention.
"When students have cell phones or other devices they have bills to pay for them, so they get jobs that take away from their schoolwork and attendance," Strickland said. "Those who miss more than 10 days a semester are more likely to fail, and seniors who miss twice the amount of days as others are more likely to fail too."
According to the Tennessee 2004 Report Card, the attendance of students at Blackman High School was at 95 percent; however, the graduation rate peaked at 87 percent. Within three years, Blackman has been able to raise the graduation rate by two percent.
In order to encourage students, Blackman has set forth several programs to increase knowledge and success. One of these programs is known as the freshman academy, which serves as an academic support system for incoming freshman whose grades are below average.
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