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The Teen Appeal
The University of Memphis
300 Meeman Journalism Building
Memphis, TN., 38152
(901) 678-4710
fax (901) 678-4287
In recent years, a problem facing Memphis City Schools has reached an epidemic proportion—the graduation rate of our high school students.
The most recent data on the MCS Web site is for the 2003-2004 school year. At that time, the overall graduation rate for all Memphis City Schools was 62.1 percent, up 2.1 percent from the 2002-2003 school year. It appears the graduation rate may be affected by socioeconomic factors since many schools with high numbers of students living in poverty have the lowest graduation rates.
Low graduation rates lower the number of students who are able to go on to college. This is a problem statewide as well. At a summit on math and science education this past year, Gov. Phil Bredesen said that only 34 of every 100 Tennessee students who enter the 9th grade will go on to college, and only 14 will graduate within six years. There are many reasons for these dismal numbers. I’m a senior at Hamilton High School who almost became a statistic.
I was having problems in a particular class, and I was afraid I wasn’t going to pass and be able to graduate on time. Although I played a part in my potential failure, I also felt I wasn’t adequately prepared for the course. I became frustrated and kept falling behind. Now, my teacher is working with me to help me graduate, but not all students have the same opportunity.
MCS should spend less time on programs such as the Blue Ribbon Plan and the uniform policy and spend more time trying to raise its graduation rate. Some ways to do this would be to focus extra attention on areas with more at-risk students and encourage teachers to help motivate students to succeed. Also, some students, like me, need to work harder to make sure they graduate on time. Students who fail to graduate fail to meet their full potential and our communities and schools suffer because of it.