Giving voice to our dropouts

The silent epidemic of our dropout problem is beginning to be heard. The Mat-Su School District has begun to turn up the volume by presenting information to the Mat-Su School Board, regarding dropouts. I believe the volume needs to be cranked up even more. The dropout problem is more than what appears on the surface. It is bad enough that they just drop off the radar, but there are much more serious problems, at a much deeper level. Those deeper problems are ones, as a community, we must be willing to embrace. We can no longer sit in our comfortable offices, schools and homes, while a number our children are in dire need of our help, even if they do not realize it.

First, I want to commend the Mat-Su District for their efforts to address the issue of those students dropping out of school. The school district has begun to identify behaviors such as lack of attendance, lack of credits and units, that would indicate the student is having a problem with school, which very well may lead to dropping out. The school district has begun to develop a plan to identify those students, and then use graduation coaches, and develop individual plans with those students. Mr. Troxel, the superintendent of the Mat-Su School District, stated, ‘We have to concentrate on the personal relationships we have with our students.” I know Mr. Troxel is very troubled and concerned about dropouts. We all should be.

Even more alarming, are those dropouts with more severe problems that live on the streets in a whirlwind of alcohol, drugs and prostitution. This is horrendous way to live, that will most likely lead to jail, institutions or even death. Even if a young person survives and breaks out (recovers, never cured) of that deadly cycle, the prospects are still not that good. Statistically, only a third will be able to stay out from under that hideous, addictive lifestyle. So the obvious answer is to create as many road blocks as we can to ensure that our children do not go down those streets. Easier said than done.

For obvious reasons, the school district does not have all the necessary resources to deal with this issue. This is where we all come into the picture, as a community. I truly believe it takes a village to raise a child. Even if a dropout is able to stay afloat, national statistics are dismal. They will make considerable ($4,000) less beginning income than someone with a high school diploma. They will also live nine years less, and have many problems because of lifestyle issues. We, as a community, can invest in our children with preventive measures, or we can pay for more law enforcement, correctional officers and jails later.

Early prevention is key. I currently teach third grade. I believe issues of attendance, grades, and behavior are already pronounced enough to see red flags, or, if you will, the handwriting on the wall. Why wait any longer? We are in desperate need of truancy laws, and resources to enforce those laws, so students are in school. We need a wide range of agency resources to assist schools, parents and the students to ensure early success in school. We need healthy, safe environments for recreational activities for all our children of all ages.

Next, which is a slippery slope, and is still in the shadows of our society, is mental illness in our children. I volunteer at a facility with at-risk youth, which will remain anonymous, along with names. But, out of the six clients currently in my dialogue group, five were on medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (which can also include Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Substance Abuse) Bipolar, and/or Anxiety Disorders. Unfortunately, all of them at times have self-medicated with alcohol and drugs, stating they did not like the side effects of their medication. Sometimes they just stopped taking their meds, because they started feeling better. Not a good idea, because it does not take long before they find themselves spiraling down into emotional pain, and then the cycle of more self-medication, with possible consequences of crime, jail, institutions or death. Those children have to have constant monitoring, with halfway housing/living, counseling and dialogue group participation to maintain a recovering life style.

The dropout problem is multi-layered and multifaceted. It will take caring, nonjudgmental, but honest, understanding individuals from our entire community that can make a difference in a child’s life. It may only take that one-to-one, or personal relationship that establishes, or re-establishes that connection. Some will need more resources, and still some more will need all we have to give. Lets hope it is enough. Those are the ones who have sold their souls to the street. We need to get them back, we have to, because we know how that can end.

I hope we begin to build a network of laws, resources, and most importantly, guardian adults to protect our most important possession — our children. They are all worth it.

The views expressed do not represent that of Mat-Su School District. They are reflective of personal experience working with children of all ages, at different schools, agencies, and facilities in the state of Alaska.

Michael P. Carson teaches third grade in the Mat-Su school system.