Preperation for the real world?

Question

I started to think about all the other people I'd known to be kicked out of high school. We'd see them around but every time you'd see them, they'd be more beaten down and they'd tell you so. Most of them got caught up in alcohol and drugs.

I wonder if 'kick them out!' is too harsh and fast for a student who's having troubles. Pack your things and go figure out your own life, and the people who were previously your mentors are now wanting nothing to do with you? You got taught maths and sciance, english and the arts and those things are useful but never shown how to use them or how to be an 'adult'.
(Questions in additional)

What do high schools do to help students prepare for their new life, worker or student, prepare for a life as an adult?
What should they do?
If they see a student that is starting to fail grades or one that they know they need to kick out, should they be sure that the student has help, or support, or understanding of what it is expected from a young adult or an adult?
Should they also provide support for those who are suceeding with good grades?

I agree that it is, for the most part, up to the parents of the teenager. But often the teenager who's suffering in their grades or social life doesn't have that support at home, or they don't have the type of parents who would or could teach them.

I don't like the process... the worse a teen's life gets, the more important the role of the teacher gets as their mentor and guide.
What does kicking them out prove? What does it teach a student who's already in trouble at home, with friends, with lifestyle?

Answer 1

Don't take this the wrong way i'm just being honest. The problem with the school system today is that people look to the school system to send their kids down the right path, but in reality its up to the parents of the child. The school is only there to guide you down the right path. If you don't utilize your resources while your there then that's on you. The real world works the same way. Don't expect to be rewarded for everything good that you do because it doesn't work that way in real life. If a student is causing problems and it results in him or her getting kicked out of school then that's on them because they are keeping everyone else from getting an education. People need to stop looking to the schools to raise their kids!!!! Its up to the parents to provide resources and start getting off their lazy a** to help them.

Answer 2

I don't know were to start. Honeslty, the schools are becoming almost like a scape goat for bad parenting. Yea, kids are usually in school more than home and teachers at times have more influence over our kids but it is ultimatly the parents responisbility. Nowaydays, parents are young and they are getting younger by the minute. I hate to say it but the younger the parents are, the less focus the kids are going to be. After a while the schools didn't want to deal with it and starting kicking kids out. It's like they say, why let the bad ones ruin it for the rest of the students that want to learn. I have no idea what schools should be doing, if anything. I think they are doing the best they can (SOME). You say these kids are being taught things but not being shown them and thats who's fault? The teachers? No...they did their part and taught...the parents? Maybe...since they are the ones that are technically suppose to make sure the kids do their homework...or is it the kids? If they were more focused on school then they would not have gotten kicked out.

I think it's time people stop pointing fingers and assigning blame and taking responsiblity for their own actions. We need to realize that the schools are not there to raise our kids and show them morals, they are there to educate them.

Answer 3

The government in NZ has just proposed that they pay families $5000 a year if their child is doing well in school. It seems like a good incentive but I worry that it might lead to too much pressure on students and will possibly increase family violence from low socio-economic families if they are relying on that money and the student doesn't do well. I don't think schools really put enough emphasis on planning your future. It seems like a foreign concept at that age but more of a push to encourage kids to really plan a path for how to get to where they want to go would be useful. School is nothing like the real world. No one cares if you have a headache, they expect you to get your work done, there's no skiving off to the nurse to catch a few zzzzs. Some people that thrive at school fail miserably in the workforce because it is so different but I know dropouts that school just wasn't there thing but they have done very well in the real world. I think parents underestimate their influence sometimes too so the onus can't entirely be on the schools.

Answer 4

Sara! Your profound Intelligence and Wisdom Just Jumps out and stares at me! With two Sons in High School I have often ask myself the same question! To understand why Schools do not prepare students for the real world; you need to understand "The Nature of the Beast" School Districts especially large ones like Los Angeles are "800 pound gorillas" It is a big bureaucracy! second only to the Federal Government. Based on my own experience in the teaching field (almost became a teacher) a good start in accomplishing your goal would be to eliminate about 70% of Administrators! Good Luck and God Speed!

Answer 5

This question is thought provoking. Preparing students for life after high school is a hot topic at present. Spouse and I have been mentor to many children over the years, important because someone else failed them along the way.
All the 50 states are finding out too late how important the issues are. It is very frustrating trying to encourage dropouts to lead a clean life when drug money appears way more lucrative as income. Children of dropouts fare even worse because many of the parents are illiterate(through no fault of their own)so they are raised the same. Our area has a high rate of domestic violence and meth use/addiction. There is definitely a correlation between dropping out of school early the above.

Answer 6

The place where I am is already a real world.

Answer 7

just stay in school and just pray for the high school drop out that are not doing well and go for your future good luck