Zero Tolerance Kills Dreams, Hurts the Economy
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Abstract
In this article Mulady claims that, contrary to assumptions that failing students are drop outs, many of these students are in fact pushed out. They are the victims of the growing and unquestioned zero tolerance policies, driven in large part by high stakes testing. This is a human rights issue and a cost to the economy.
At a time when competition for jobs is fierce and even entry-level positions require a high school or college degree, anyone without a high school diploma need not apply. Yet, each year, more than a million students in the United States leave high school without graduating.
The cost to the economy is billions in lost earnings and taxes that could go toward Medicare and Social Security. According to the Center for American Progress, if even half of those students graduated, it would boost the nation with $7.6 billion in increased earnings, add $9.6 billion in economic growth and $713 million more in tax revenue - all in an average year.
Mulady cites the story of Quabeeny Daniels
When school officials found Daniels in the hallway during class time, they checked his attendance records and discovered he was often late getting to school. He was expelled.
Daniels said he walks 20 blocks to high school in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood. If he oversleeps, he is late to his 7:30 a.m. class and not allowed in the door. Unable to attend class, he falls behind in his studies.
Generation Y, a youth action organization associated with the Southwest Youth Collaborative, worked with Daniels after his expulsion. ... Now back in school, Daniels is focused on being on time and raising his grades.
... When students are simply suspended rather than given help in solving their problems, the conflicts remain when they return to school. Counseling, peer juries and peer circles that delve into their issues can help students find solutions. Other advocates say mediation, mental health services, and rewards for positive behavior also help students stay in school.
Mulady argues that high stakes testing is one of the drivers of high levels of push outs.
Pressure on public schools to excel in standardized testing is also a primary part of the pushout problem. Underachieving students are routinely suspended from school right before the tests.
Editors Request: I am searching for information on the extent to which this is a problem in schools in Australia and what information is available or should be available to guard against this. Suggestions about data articles and experts in this area are warmly invited.
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