Last week I wrote about New York’s big idea for keeping its more than 12,000 potential dropouts in school: Send them to college. I still think the plan is off and in talking with other folks and reading other literature, I have more to say about it.

First, I know the number one reason kids lose interest in school is because they get bored and they don’t see how learning any of “this stuff” matters. The buzz word is relevance.
Time and time again, educators say the solution lies in the instruction. If they want to keep the kids engaged, teachers have to provide a rich and varied curriculum that includes lots of real-world examples and opportunities for students to direct their own learning.

College certainly offers a lot of freedom and choice, but I wouldn’t consider many of my professors (especially the ones in the lower level courses) particularly adept at teaching. Sure, they were geniuses in the subject matter, but professors weren’t always the best at conveying that information. Also, entry-level college courses, which are typically large, lecture-hall formats, aren’t the best place for struggling students.

Now, if we’re talking about elective courses or vocational programs (the latter of which has found success in New York City) that’s different, not only because the class size is probably smaller but also because the class was of particular interest to the student. But that still doesn’t address how that will help students who haven’t mastered basic skills like reading and writing.

So, let me get this straight. In order for New York’s plan to work, it would need skilled instructors who really know how to reach these students and courses that really speak to kids. Hey, isn’t that what high school is supposed to offer? If not, why are we sending students there in the first place?

Naomi Dillon, Senior Editor