are WE a Dropout Nation too?

In America, a large number of young people do not graduate from high school. Too many of those who do graduate are leaving without the skills necessary to thrive in today's workforce.

A failing system destroys ambition. Even though 80% of students think they will attend college, many of them never go. Almost a third of them drop out before graduating from high school. Nearly half of African American and Hispanic high school students do not make it to graduation day.

From the statistic below, it shows how much percentage of Americans in different states who actually graduated. It's shocking to know this statistic.
1. New York - 58%
2. Ohio - 79%
3. Kansas - 76%
4. Texas - 69%
5. California - 65%
6. Washington - 69%
7. Florida - 61%
8. New Jersey - 88%
9. Nebraska - 84%

American opportunity depends on the abilities of its people. A great education system guarantees more than just the abilities of a student. It guarantees the success of their community and economy.

As i was watching Oprah Winfrey on the telly just now, i was shocked to know what's happening in America.. Bill Gates is concern and he said America is in a Crisis.. it's a silent epidemic coz no one REALLY knows about it except the teachers.. students drop out from school at an alarming rate AND at an alarming age, 16! at this age, they're still young and can't make a HUGE decision which will affect the rest of their lives.. the few reasons why students dropping out are:-
1. laziness to wake up in the morning for school
2. they can get a job at a factory earning USD 500 per month
3. on drugs
4. friends influence

From the show, i got to know that the schools at the suburbs AND also the city are some in terrible condition.. the education level too is different.. the education system in America had not changed since the 1950s..

I got the statistic from www.standup.org

As in Malaysia, i asked myself, are WE a dropout nation too? take a look around.. open your eyes and see.. although the students here don't drop out at the tender age of 16, we still have drop outs after high school! some even can't pass their final test in order for them to graduate.. i was born in 1981 so by the time i graduated high school, it was in 1998.. went to college straightaway.. i'm a very privileged child compare to some of my high school friends whom only managed to get to some local university..

After 8 years since my graduation, i keep track the numbers of the high school graduates by reading the newspaper.. the Education Ministry implemented some new subjects now BUT have you gone through the text books nowadays? it is SO different compare to years ago.. it's getting easier and easier.. for the past few years, the percentage of Malaysian graduates increases.. is the Government lowering the passing grade year by year? more and more students are getting straight As or even passing the finals.. is all this doing good for the students AND the Nation? i certainly DO NOT think so..

I think the dropouts in Malaysia isn't as alarming as what's going on in America but still.. most youngsters nowadays prefer to work after high school.. maybe they're not as privileged as me or anyone else but still they can choose to continue studying in one way or another.. but all they want is to earn money.. they're eager to get into the REAL world to work, earn money and buy the things they like/want.. this is not a concern but the main point is what can they do? how much can they earn? what does the future hold for them? who would want to play a role in bringing up this Nation? most of the youngsters now would end up in beauty saloon, car workshops, market, salesman and etc..

I've 2 younger cousins and from there, i could see what's going on now.. the eldest is 16 years old now while the youngest is 12 years old.. all they care now are either playing PS2 or watching MTVs or cartoons or spending time online playing games and chatting.. their grades are disasterous.. going for tuition is just wasting time and money.. all they care is to meet friends and to hang around at the mall.. just yesterday, my younger cousin who's 16, asked me about clubbing.. i was like WTF! he's totally underaged.. he told me his friends were talking about it and also his friends were talking about piercing their tongues! so he told me, my mom and my grandma when we were all at my uncle's house that he's gonna pierce his ear.. Come on! he's only 16 and still studying.. he even asked my mom if he could work part time now to earn some cash in order to buy a camera phone.. he's just not interested to study anymore as i could see.. he could remember 50cents & Eminem's lyrics but just couldn't remember or understand what the teacher had just taught him!

Sometimes it does concern me about my 2 cousins' future.. what can they do after high school? what's stopping them from not dropping out before graduating, is my mom.. she's making sure that at least they graduated.. WE ALL would be happy enough if both of them just barely pass.. the youngsters today are more matrialistic and immature.. they want this and that but they DO NOT have any slightest idea why education is important to them.. all they could see is NOW and not the FUTURE.. WHAT HAS THE YOUNGER GENERATION HAD BECOME?