Los Angeles High Schools Are Failing

The Los Angeles Times had an article in June of 2006 stating that only 44% of city high school students graduated in four years. For all of California the rate was 71%. The drop out rate for the school system was over 25% versus a state rate of 14%. Of course the school districts excuses are just what you would expect. Primarily LAUSD focuses on the problem of non English speaking students that are mostly Hispanic.

The Los Angeles high school curriculum lacks occupational training. Instead the focus is on college preparatory classes. Their argument is that college prep classes also prepare students for jobs that do not require a college degree. The reality is that many students do not have the capacity to succeed in algebra, geometry, physics, and the other college required courses. Many of the students lack the reading and comprehension skills necessary for these classes. That is the reason there is a high drop out rate. The consequence is a major impact on our society. Teenagers join gangs, become drug pushers, or become petty thieves because they have no skills and no path to any kind of success in life.

Do you need to know geometry, physics, etc. to learn a trade or skill? Perhaps basic math would be helpful but there are many jobs that do not require a knowledge of those college prep classes. I am a college graduate from CSUN and I have never needed geometry or physics in any business administration function I held.

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal has a front page story in their July 7, 2008 issue discussing the shortage of skilled welders and metal fabricators. They say the shortage could be 200,000 people by 2010. The training won’t come from any of the local high schools.

Do all the jobs in banking, health care, tourism, and the entertainment industries require a college degree? Clearly the answer is no. Clearly the high schools of Los Angeles are a failure.