THE THIRD PROGRAM
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Transcript
Download a transcript of the entire program. (pdf)
Video of Program
see the video at fora.tv
Audio Files
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For a full length, unedited MP3 file of the Third Program, click here.
The Problem is Severe Dr. Russell Rumberger reveals that California's dropout rate is the highest it has been in ten years. One percent of the state's high schools produce 20 percent of its dropouts.
How Much Does the State Pay When Students Dropout? Dr. Russell Rumberger estimates that each class of dropouts costs the state about $46 billion.
Can Anything Be Done in a Budget Crisis? Dr. Russell Rumberger responds with a resounding "Yes."
Holding Schools Accountable Dr. Russell Rumberger explains how perverse incentives in the state accountability system encourage schools to push low performing students out the back door.
Is More Money the Answer? Laurene Powell Jobs uses the College Track example to show how targeted increased funding could yield the desired outcomes.
Students Need More Time Laurene Powell-Jobs claims that one of the most fundamental "values added" by College Track is the extra academic time it provides for students.
Cleaning Up the Name of Oakland Nidya Baez talks about her motivation for engaging in her own education through the SIFE program.
How Do We Keep Students in School? Nidya Baez proposes this lens as a productive way to look at education reform.
What Are the Right Questions? Alan Briskin proposes rethinking the process of inquiry about schools.
The School System is Obsolete Alan Briskin provides evidence that the education system was designed in a bygone era and will never produce the results necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
A Social Movement for School Change Alan Briskin suggests that incremental change to the current education system will not drastically improve outcomes.
Where is the National Outrage? Laurene Powell-Jobs asks why the crisis in American schools does not appear on the front page of newspapers.
Can Students be Prepared for College and Career? Alan Briskin calls on journalists to find the stories in "both/and" solutions, rather than "either/or".
The Role of Districts and the State Dr. Russell Rumberger discusses how district and state policies can foster innovative, successful schools.
We Know What Good High Schools Look Like! Dr. Russell Rumberger outlines a set of policy principles about which there seems to be an emerging consensus.
School Leadership is Key Dr. Russell Rumberger and Laurene Powell-Jobs make a case that school leaders need greater autonomy.
Apartheid in Schools Maureen Benson argues that deep segregation among American schools has a profound effect on the performance of the education system as a whole.
Education is an Economic and Social Investment Dr. Russell Rumberger suggests that the general public does not acutely associate the economic investment in education with quality of life.
Not in My Zip Code Laurene Powell-Jobs articulates the societal detriments of believing that the future is a zero-sum game in which certain students will succeed at the expense of others.
Engaging People in Inquiry David Sibbet suggests that stories might be found in revealing provocative questions rather than providing answers.
It's Me Against You Veronica Garcia raises the question, "What can we print that unites the population and helps us move forward?"
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Graphic notes
Download for web. -- Download for print.
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PowerPoint Presentation
Download Russell Rumberger's Powerpoint presentation . (144k PPt file)
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Reports & Resources
California Dropout Research Project The latest analysis of California's dropout problem, its social costs and potential solutions.
UC LMRI Research Reports database A selection of research and policy reports from the University of California Linguistic Minority Research Institute.
The Social Costs of Inadequate Education (pdf)An economic analysis by Teachers College Professor Henry M. Levin
The Graduation Gap Documenting the difference between existing skill levels in American high schools and those needed to meet the economic and social challenges of the 21st Century.
The Silent Epidemic A blueprint for what policy makers can do to reduce the high school dropout rates.
CollegeTrack The nonprofit organization, College Track, helps motivate low-income high school students who have the desire but lack the resources and support to attain higher education.
What Do Students Say? Student stories on problems they've had in school and how they would fix them.
Fremont Business Academy: Student Entrepreneurs Win Big (Video)High school students reduce truancy, gain valuable workplace skills and design a high school that both challenges and engages them.
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Publications
San Francisco Chronicle (Sunday, March 16, 2008) Making room for ‘College Track’ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/16/ED04VHUIU.DTL&feed=rss.opinion
Modesto Bee (Thursday, February 21, 2008): 3 Modesto high schools rank among 100 highest in state http://www.modbee.com/local/story/217697.html
Sacramento Bee (Thursday, February 21, 2008): Editorial: The real dropout problem remains out of view http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/727417.html
San Francisco Chronicle (Thursday, February 21, 2008): Dropout data show most kids stay in school http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/21/BA7DV5PVD.DTL
San Jose Mercury News (Thursday, February 21, 2008): Educated Guess blog: Problematic Dropout Study http://mercextra.com/blogs/edreform/2008/02/21/problematic-dropout-study/
YouthNoise.org Right to Learn Campaign blog (February 15, 2008): Retooling Schools-Who Gets to Graduate? http://righttolearnca.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/retooling-schools-who-gets-to-graduate/
