Huntsville Dropout Forum
On Thursday, November 03, 2011, a small group of Huntsville citizens gathered in the Huntsville Public Library to discuss the dropout issue using Dropouts: What Should We Do? to guide their deliberation. The forum was held at the Huntsville Public Library and was organized by Louisa Morinella, Adult Programming Coordinator for the library. The group covered many themes and raised many ideas, but came back to the importance of mentoring, the involvement of the community in the school, and the critical need for clearer communication within the community.
Over lunch, the group introduced themselves and shared what concerned them about the dropout issue in Huntsville before delving into approach one, “Emphasize Achievement.” The forum participants felt that approach one does not adequately address the dropout situation in Alabama, that it hinders creative expression, and that it often leads to the stratification of students. Many forum participants put forth that setting individual goals for students might prove a more effective approach. Others suggested further emphasis on career tech programs. One woman related that Huntsville businesses have begun to encourage their employees to go into the schools to mentor and tutor students. She said that the schools “need more people that care,” and not necessarily more money.
Transitioning into approach two, “Emphasize Preventative and Corrective School Programs,” the group began to think through the home life of students and how it affects their performance in school. One young lady suggested that it is the people in school that shape one’s achievement, but others chimed in to say that it is difficult for students to meet their potential in school when they come from difficult home situations. One person stated that, “students achieve when teachers care beyond the classroom.” The need for more mentors and encouragement of parental involvement arose as well. One man brought up a free tutoring program that currently exists for all seven elementary schools. He cited this program as an example of an underutilized service that focuses on preventing dropouts. The importance of career readiness took up much of the rest of the discussion of approach two. One participant brought up that two-year institutions in the Huntsville area incorporate programs in cooperation with local industries and jobs within those sectors.
Discussion around approach three, “Emphasize Community Responsibility,” further developed the themes raised in approaches one and two about the need for mentoring and the role that the community plays in helping the schools implement preventative and corrective programs. One man brought up the importance of tutoring and mentoring programs sponsored by churches, sororities, and fraternities. Another participant pointed out the incredible level of education possessed by a large number of Huntsville citizens. The participant pondered the possibility of connecting the well-educated Huntsville residents with students that are struggling to achieve. Others related the importance of letting parents and community members into the schools to volunteer, despite possible apprehension on the part of the schools. The barriers that sometimes separate the community and the school are slowly being broken down in Huntsville, according to one participant. The major issue, according to forum attendants, lies in a lack of clear communication between the community, schools, businesses, and parents. One man suggested that the media could be more helpful in accurately reporting on the performance of the schools.
The forum came to a close as participants suggested ways to open communication within the community. The group also discussed creative options for their schools, such as the project-based approach used by a school in Talladega County. Thank you to everyone who attended this latest segment in the statewide conversation on the dropout issue!
- Cristin Foster (DMC Assistant Program Director)
