For some time we have warned of impending calamity, given the lackluster attitude many Americans have toward education. This attitude is reflected in the poor state of our public schools and by the fact that most ordinary Americans lack even a basic understanding of math, science, government, literature, history, economics or anything of substance, while possessing complete mastery of all this irrelevant, such as American Idol.

These attitudes are also reflected in the fact that drop out rates in America far exceed that of most industrialized countries. Though the vast majority of teens graduate from high school (contrary to the musings of Sen. John Kerry), a sizeable minority does not, these dropout rates are significantly higher in urban and rural areas. There are a number of factors that contribute to this trend; principle among them would be parents who fail to instill an appreciation and an understanding of the importance of a solid education as the foundation for future success. To some dropouts, however, parents (or a lack thereof) was not the principle cause, boredom was the cause. According to a survey conducted by Civic Enterprises:

Among the dropouts interviewed, 62 percent reported they had grades of C or better when they left school, 88 percent said were passing and 70 percent said they felt they could have graduated had they stayed in school. But the most common reason they gave for leaving was that the classes were not interesting enough.

Are we to believe that these students chose on their own volition to drop out of high school, virtually destroying any hope they may have for future success, with a handful of exceptions, are we to believe that this was done out of boredom and due to a lack of challenging curriculum? How intelligent could these teens be, if they prefer a life of mediocrity and poverty? Indeed, perhaps they do need a challenge and they certainly will find it as they endeavor to eek out a living without a high school diploma.

While the subject of challenging curriculum is nonsense, the study did reveal that most dropouts had parents who were not involved in their education, highlighting the important role of parents in the lives of children, even as teens. Unless American society awakens to the reality that these poor attitudes toward education will lead to our decline, that reality will not be averted. And as such attitudes become further entrenched in our society, they will have a lasting impact on American competitiveness and prosperity.
Link to article in Atlanta Journal-Constitution