Pre K-12 & PSRP Issues
Background IssuesMichigan's 75% graduation rate (CEPI Graduation Report, 2009), means that one in four students struggles to complete high school on time. While there are certainly achievement gaps between and within school districts, all schools service children that require additional academic assistance. Some of these students "fall through the cracks" because they are not identified as needing assistance, do not qualify for available programs, or are unaware of existing services. Supporting struggling students is a necessary step towards reducing Michigan's dropout rate and ensuring that our education system works for all students. Providing meaningful assistance for those that struggle requires identifying struggling students, implementing early intervention strategies, and supporting full accountability for all educational personnel. What We NeedEarly Intervention Strategies: Schools should provide school-entry screening programs that identify hearing, vision, and other medical conditions that may impede student learning. Staff need resources and professional development to help identify struggling students. Student Support: Students have unique issues, learning styles, and abilities, and learning environments should accommodate their individual needs. There are proven programs that provide targeted academic assistance for struggling students. Solutions may include alternative settings, additional academic instruction through tutoring, mechanisms for family and community engagement, smaller class settings, and access to specialists. Comprehensive Accountability: Insist that all educational personnel, including administrators, superintendents, teachers, and support staff, play a role in supporting struggling students. Adult Education and Non-traditional Programs: For decades, we have bemoaned the difficulty of educating students whose parents left school before graduating and/or had bad experiences in the system. It is not realistic to break this cycle without reinvesting in adult education and non-traditional high school completion programs to increase educational levels in our communities across the board. Meaningful Professional Development: Staff members working with struggling students require targeted professional development opportunities. |
