what are the causes of poor performance in high schools?

Answer 1

*Poverty. It has been proven statistically that disadvantaged student do much more poorly than those in richer schools.

*Too-large teacher-to-student ratio

*Poor teachers, lax teaching license/credentials standards.

*Drug use, depression, ADD, lack of sufficient counseling/special needs teachers and attention.

*Pressures to keep passing students who really aren't ready to pass. Most developed countries would be shocked to know how many high school graduates can't locate Japan on map, read at a 7th grade reading level, or don't even know when this country or World War 1 started. :/

Answer 2

A very good question, but one that probably will not be answered to every ones satisfaction.

The reasons for poor performance in high schools (and lower grades as well) are myriad. Put them all in the pot, stir well, boil until done, ladle it out and your one single answer will be
American culture, corrupted by modern society.

There IS an answer, a solution to the problem, but I do not have the particulars. That remains for others far more intelligent than I am.

America needs a new and innovative system to educate our children. Public schools have served their purpose and must now be replaced with something else. No, I am not advocating home schooling (nor do I deride it either). We need something greater than home schooling and far more superior to public education. Come up with the answer and you will be the new HORACE MANN of education.

And finally, to those of you who call for smaller classrooms, Shame! Have you already forgotten the 100 level introductory classes in college, where a couple hundred students sat through those "boring" lectures for a number of "required" hours and still ... they learned. Granted, you still need and deserve more aides in the classroom but, in respect to your certifications, you certainly should be able to handle the student enrollment that has been assigned to you.

Answer 3

Too many distractions in their lives...the priority doesn't seem to be on education. I don't want to blame parents, it's more of a societal thing. I can still teach even with large classes. Bigger problems for me are lack of motivation and absenteeism. I will say that students with parents that support their education and put pressure on them tend to get better grades. Like someone else said here, poverty plays a large role.

Answer 4

It depends on the kid himself/herself. When i actually paid attention and listened,wanted to do good,i did. There are many distractions when you're in high-school.....drugs,skipping class to do something that's "funner",drinking,etc. Teenagers have to be aware of these things and not get carried away becuz your schooling will suffer,i know from experience,and when i finally smartened up i was failing almost every class but started trying again and got all my classes up to 70s and 80s.

Answer 5

Poor preparation in elementary and junior high

Too many students per teacher

Lack of home support

are a few.

Answer 6

poor parenting which leads to a child's difficulty in self esteem/confidence, poor parenting that prevents the child from meeting their developmental markers, poor social skills/isolation which leads to depression/anxiety and creates lower levels of concentration and shorter attention spans creating frustration , lack of hope in the future, feelings of helplessness, lack of coping mechanisms that do not include, video games, drugs/alcohol and sex.

Answer 7

Lack of corporal punishment in the classroom. Bring back the paddle!

Answer 8

Too many students per teacher in classes.