Negative Attitudes in Elementary Grades : Dropout Signs Are Evident Early in Students

The same academic and behavior problems plaguing high school dropouts usually are apparent a decade earlier when those same students begin school, experts told teachers and parents.

Low self-confidence, indifferent families, poor progress and disruptive behavior are “red flags” that can alert elementary school teachers that a child is a potential dropout, said Allison Zajac, assistant chief of the California Youth Authority’s education division.

“These are things you can see at a very early stage,” Zajac told about 200 delegates at the recent convention of the California Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students Inc.

“These students never bonded with school . . . felt it was part of their lives.”

Zajac and other speakers at a panel discussion said it is important for kindergarten and first-grade teachers to spot the early signs of trouble and intervene if the dropout rate is to fall.

“This is really where it starts, in elementary school,” said Lee Lundberg, legislative chairman of the California Assn. of Supervisors of Child Welfare and attendance.

Zajac reminded the audience of sobering statistics: One in three high school students will drop out, and the dropout rate for minority students is 40%.

The kindergarten and first-grade teachers of those dropouts often noticed the youngsters had no friends, lacked self-esteem, were often absent and did not take part in school or extracurricular activities, she said.

“Those teachers would tell you, ‘I knew he would be in trouble. I knew he wouldn’t make it,’ ” Zajac said.

Solving Problems Early

Solving the problems before they grow into drug abuse, gang involvement, teen pregnancy--and leaving school without a diploma--starts with the teacher, speakers said.

“It takes a lot of extra effort, but I think it’s important,” Zajac said. “But I think if that had happened more to children we have, we wouldn’t have them now.”

But parents, community organizations and school administrators--not just teachers--also must be involved, said Shari Lawson, a member of the state PTA board.

“When we talk about kids as first-grade dropouts, we tend to blame the system. But did you ever stop to think we are the system?” she said.

Lawson said school attendance review boards in some school districts have been effective in resolving some of the problems behind persistent absenteeism.

“Once the child is referred at junior or senior high school, the chances of helping that child goes way down,” she said.

But recent emphasis on academic achievement at an early age could harm students already at risk for dropping out, Zajac said. If kindergarten and first-grade teachers are pressured to produce high test scores, “how endeared are you going to be to that little kid who just doesn’t get it?” she asked.

During questions, one kindergarten teacher drew applause when she voiced her frustration in having to teach 4- and 5-year-olds reading when many are not ready to learn.

“They don’t know their colors, they don’t know their shapes, and these kids are crying because I’m trying to teach them to read,” said Ann Nicholas of Lake Elsinore.

One-third of the kindergarten students in her school district fail to get through the curriculum, she said.

“For the kids who can’t handle it, they’re already defeated. And then they have to go through it again the next year, but then it’s worse,” Nicholas said.