Michigan’s Compulsory Education to Age 18 legislation sends a mixed message

 

Guest Commentary by William L. Coale, Ph.D

The message is on target: you need to get your full dose of education in order to have a chance at success in meeting the demands of the 21st century workforce. Unfortunately, the cart has been put before the horse once again. The work that needed to be done prior to implementing such a significant change in public policy is that of addressing the needs of at-risk students in a timely fashion. Read this as, “We need an articulated, comprehensive alternative education structure for students in our middle and high schools.” Lacking this, the problem of early drop-outs will continue, and the lame-brained option of allowing a parental excuse note to allow their child to drop out is a quick way of short-circuiting the intent of the legislation.

Historically, a significant portion of the drop-out population comes from problem-ridden homes, yet these students are the ones who are most likely to take the escape route via the parental note. Similarly, those parents who are at wits’ end trying to keep their kids in school are likely to succumb to the daily pressures and sign off on the future of their children…tragic, indeed.

The problem of high-school dropouts is not historically a high-school problem, yet that is where the attention has traditionally been given. All too often, schools of last resort (aka Alternative High Schools) do their darnedest to get kids back on track to the road to graduation and a meaningful, successful life. Results are mixed, and part of this is due to the practically non-existent intervention system for middle school age students—the time when many kids start to veer off course in significant ways.

Therefore, before we can sincerely send the message that all Michigan students should be in school until they graduate, the powers that be need to take a serious look at the following questions:

1. Are we providing appropriate alternatives that will actually keep students engaged to the point that they can graduate?
2. Are we utilizing alternative instructional delivery modes such as distance learning to help reach all students?
3. Are we intervening early enough to support success rather than employing 11th hour desperate attempts to save students?
4. What message does the “opt out” provision send, and why should it be allowed?
5. Are we providing an education that is meaningful to all students?
6. Are we honestly ready to make the commitment (finally!) to the success of ALL students?

If the answer to question #6 is “yes”, then much work needs to be done, and in short order. Perhaps intermediate school districts (ISDs) could be the appropriate agency to offer county-wide alternative programs (combined with vocational training opportunities) for students in middle school and above. Whatever the agency or venue, this area MUST be given serious attention. And please…please…take a second look at allowing the “Please excuse Johnny from school from now on…he’ll be busy being unsuccessful” notes to ever be written. It’s bad for Johnny, and bad for Michigan.

William L. Coale, Ph.D. is a retired Michigan superintendent who is now senior advisor with the Coale Education Group, Inc. Dr. Coale can be contacted at wmcoale@CoaleGroup.com

The views expressed in articles submitted to MASA do not necessarily represent those of the MASA staff, Council, or Executive Board. We welcome your feedback and invite you to join the dialogue.