Catching the Dropouts Before They Hit Bottom

Re “Nearly Half of Blacks, Latinos Drop Out, School Study Shows,” March 24: The notion that “on-time graduation” should be a goal for all is as preposterous as the ivory tower author’s disconnect from reality. Mandating that every individual spend 12 consecutive years in a classroom with a standardized, politically correct curriculum obviously doesn’t work. In fact, it is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money.

Our elected officials need to come to grips with the fact that many kids simply aren’t interested in the bland dish that is being served them. Vocational, nonacademic options should be offered in the ninth grade and up. Education should not be relegated to a fixed period in a person’s life. It should always be available. The dropout of today needs an immediate productive alternative and an option to go back at a later date.

Ivar Schoenmeyr

San Juan Capistrano

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In the March 24 article on students dropping out, there was an important aspect of the problem not mentioned. A large percentage of students who drop out or do poorly in school come from family and cultural backgrounds in which the increasing value of education is unimportant or misunderstood. It’s unfair and unrealistic to assume schools can single-handedly instill greater educational values and success in these students without increased support from home. The bottom line is that students and their families must take more personal responsibility for educational accomplishment.

I speak from experience, as I acquired two high-level college degrees after the age of 40. Without a doubt, my level of academic success was directly proportionate to my educational values -- values that came from outside the classroom.

Richard French

Studio City