School official: Economy pushing dropouts higher

Rick Johnson tells them there’s plenty of help, plenty of support.

Johnson, Ottawa High School principal, said he tells students who want to drop out of high school that they can get through it, that they can complete their education.

During Monday night’s USD 290 school board meeting, Johnson told board members that this has been a particularly interesting year in terms of the dropout rate — a rate that appears to be growing.

“We had a senior in high school who transfered in during the last week of high school,” he said. “That’s stuff that has been unheard of in the past, but now you have to deal with it in these situations.”

It’s not just seniors who are coming and going, Johnson said the high school picked up 71 students this year — some of whom came and left multiple times — but lost 115 students.

Johnson said some students already have their minds made up about dropping out, and little can be done to prevent it.

“Those are some of the battles that are fought there,” he said.

Johnson attributed the economy with the growing number of dropouts, saying some parents are moving to different jobs, and students are going to live with relatives in different areas.

“We’re going to see a little more of a transient situation with the economy not getting any better,” he said.

Johnson said some of the students — seven in the senior class alone — go on to earn degrees from Future Visions.

For many of these students, Johnson said, the high school environment just isn’t conducive to their learning styles.

“We’re trying to cut down on the number of kids who are looking for that easier route,” he said. “Not every student who went to Future Vision was looking for that. There were a case or two where that was just the best situation.”

Board member Susan Ward said she knows from personal experience that some people learn differently than others.

“Everybody learns differently,” Ward said. “Some people can’t sit still. I’m one of those people. I’ve got to get up and move.”

Johnson said teachers and counselors often are aware when a student is having trouble in school. And when they spot trouble, Johnson said they try to help keep the student in school.

“It’s rare that we would just get totally blindsided,” he said. “There are some that are saved, for lack of a better word, some who get through that rough and rocky road.”

But for those who don’t, Johnson said he tries to understand why they are leaving the district, why they feel like they can’t finish school.

“For some reason, the path of least resistance is easier for them, and they choose to do that,” he said. “You just beat your head against the wall with kids like that because you don’t know what to do.”

Ward said establishing a different exit interview might help gauge the motivation behind leaving. Also, it’s important for students to establish relationships with adults in the high school, she said.

“The people that you remember as adults are your teachers,” she said. “They’re not our neighbors. The people who connected with them are their teachers. I think it is about relationships.”

Marge Stevens, board member, said giving up on students just isn’t an option.

“When you talk to them, they will start listening,” she said. “It’s never too late. That’s the thing we need to tell them — it’s never too late.”

Johnson said the high school has implemented some freshman success programs over the years to try to help students familiarize themselves with peers and teachers.

“School is important, attendance is important,” Johnson said. “That doesn’t just start in ninth grade. That starts in kindergarten.”

By the numbers

• 10th grade — Added: 23 Lost: 36

• 11th grade — Added: 16 Lost: 26

• 12th grade — Added 10 Lost: 28