Dropout Rate Is Disturbing

The three-year dropout rate of Ventura County High School Class of 1989 was published in the Los Angeles Times Jan. 7, showing a countywide dropout rate of 12.3% versus the statewide figure of 20.4%. When I first read that, I thought we did pretty good until I read on to see the results of Santa Paula Union High School, which had a dropout rate of 22%.

Why does our high school have such a high dropout rate? There are some people who say that a student can’t learn in a deteriorating physical classroom environment, even though a freshly painted wall has never been known to teach. Others put the blame on the many migrant families that work in our agricultural areas, while others claim that family unity has broken down. All of the above may have some truth; however, it is interesting to note that the city of Fillmore is much like that of Santa Paula and its dropout rate was 12.8%--much lower than ours.

In June of 1990, a successful campaign was responsible for the passage of a $5-million bond for repairs and maintenance of our high school. But how much campaigning has been done to eliminate our dropout problem?

Are we faulting on an outreach program, qualified teachers, counselors and administrators? Are we, the public, lacking the interest and desire to eliminate this very serious dropout problem? This situation must be dealt with and solved, not ignored and shelved.

ELEANOR KARNEKE

Santa Paula