If We Have The Will Our Students Will Find Their Way

Just came across a great article today by Andrew Stern entitled “Efforts under way to stem U.S. school dropout problem”.  Whether or not you have a strong opinion either way about alternative or charter schools compared to the traditional public school system isn’t the issue.  What needs to come out of reading this is the fact that students do find success somewhere.  Some do just fine in the traditional public school system and go onto college and do great things.  Other students are products of the private school system and thrive as a result of that.  Still you have students who have opted for an alternative or charter school setting and truly feel comfortable and connected in that environment.  I don’t think there is a scientific method for determining who will be successful in what option but the fact that they all exist and do help students is a WIN-WIN!  I’m certainly not saying that they all don’t have their back door problems because they all do.  Students have come out of the best of the best programs without fulfilling their true potential…why does that happen when they have access to the best academics and the best teachers and the best technology?  Again it’s not a hard science but a carefully examined process in which you attempt to steer students into a path based on their interests and circumstances and level of support.  It’s not a one size fits all era and we have the knowledge and technology and brains to make it work for them!  Let’s get rid of the egos and politics and move forward towards the results!  Sometimes I think that the adults act like children, don’t you?