Down and out

THE ISSUE

Alabama's school drop-out rate is not only affecting the earning power of those individuals, it is dampening the state's long-term economic future.

Alabama's none too succussful battle to keep kids in school has some dire economic consequences that should make everyone - especially legislators and school officials - sit up and take notice.

A report issued last week by the nonprofit Southern Education Foundation, of Atlanta, (southerneducation.org) found that Alabama's 40-percent high school drop-out rate is holding down wages for all workers. The study concluded that almost 60 percent of Alabama's income gap with the rest of the country can be attributed to lower levels of education attainment.

The average Alabamian in 2006, according to the report, earned $5,788 less than the average American. The study found that 59 percent of the gap between Alabama's per capita income and the national average could be closed if education levels were equal to the national average. That's a very plain-spoken explanation of what the education gap is causing, but the sources of the trouble are complex.

Research has shown that, of 100 Alabama 9th grade students, only 60 will graduate from high school, 36 will enroll in college, and only 14 will attain a bachelor's degree. Research has also shown that Alabama students not only don't perform as well on reading and other basic skills tests as students nationally, they are actually losing ground on reading tests.

The reasons for Alabama's poor education performance are varied - with income playing an important statistical role. Behind those numbers is the lack of value placed on education and learning in homes. There aren't many role models and good examples to follow in homes where parents didn't finish high school.

There also is a need for renewed emphasis on fundamental reading and math skills throughout a student's education career. The state has taken steps to fund the Alabama Reading Initiative into higher grades, but it's not enough. Tutoring and mentoring are needed to further insure student success - and that means more money is needed to hire additional classroom staff and train them.

A deeper, more carefully planned investment is needed in our schools.