By JESSE SCACCIA
According to a recent study, the number of students who leave New York high schools without graduating continues to climb. From the article, in the New York Times:
“20 percent of students from the class of 2007 were discharged — the term for students who leave the school system without graduating.”
20 percent! One out of five! In the name of Jeff Spicoli, who is failing these students?
I’m reading a book right now that gives me some idea of an answer. In the indispensible Reclaiming Youth At Risk, the authors talk about how though schools and parents ideally have a “time-share” responsibility for students, it usually ends up more like a mutual blaming contest.
According to the authors, “research shows that parents lodge responsibility first with the school, second with the child, and third with themselves. In contrast, school personnel blame problems first on the home, then on the child, and last on the school.”
I don’t come with answers in gestalt, because there are no policy or big picture answers to this problem. There is only one answer, and it’s simple as a Michael Jackson song:
You. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or any old citizen, we all need to feel personally responsible for the children in our communities. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “If we don’t do all we can to salvage these children, it is almost like spitting in the face of God.”
What does this responsibility mean? Again, it means nothing on a grand scale, but it has the utmost significance on a personal level. There’s probably a young person in your life right now. Maybe it’s a student; could be a friend of one of your children; maybe it’s a little skate kid or street kid or stoner or future thug in your neighborhood. Whoever that child is, one thing is clear; that kid is lost, and nobody seems to be helping him. That is your responsibility. That he or she right in front of you, helping them find their way.
Talk to them about their problems. Help them get a job. Tutor them. Mentor them. Bring them to church. Bring them to a baseball game. Care for that child as if it was your child, because if you don’t, there’s a damn good chance no one will. Do something, do anything, and you’re opening the door to changing that life.
I challenge you all this week. One adult: one child. Share your stories here and we can celebrate together. If we all work together we can wipe that spittle off the cheek of God in no time.
Yeah, thanks man!