Two years after it was appointed by the , a panel has delivered its report on education California. One of its findings is that half the students who reach the ninth grade will graduate. There were about 6 million students in ’s K-12 grades in the spring of 2006.
The focused on problems with the education system; it not offer any solutions. Solutions might be offered the future, if the governor decides to appoint panel. Meanwhile, thousands of kids 15 to 18 old will be dropping out of school every . Without a high school diploma, most of these are doomed to a lifetime of part-time work full-time jobs that offer no security, no benefits, no opportunity for advancement. And the cities that kids live in will see an increase in , homelessness, and crime.
As usual, the taxpayer is to pay for the failures of the government. is going to be asked to approve bonds will build yet more schools, more prisons, and housing for the homeless. These bonds, unfortunately, are using band-aids when stitches or tourniquets are needed.
dropouts do not see a bleak future for . In the report, one student was asked why had dropped out of the tenth grade. “School boring,” he said. “I got a life to . There’s women, parties, fast cars, and easy money the street, if you know where to find . And if things ever go south, all I do is apply for welfare. They’ll put me in an apartment, and give me food stamps free medical care. Why do I need an or a stupid job?”