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Julia Cowsert is an educator of seven years, and a youth counselor for East Missouri Action Agency. She is a resident of Cape.

Where have all the "Drop Outs" gone?

During the 1960s, a song called "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" was made popular. Today, during the fast-paced 1990s, it would be fitting for a similar song to be created entitled "Where Have All the Drop Outs Gone?". Area streets are populated with youth who should be in school, but for various reasons, end up in juvenile detention centers, pool halls, video game arcades or in the worst scenario, jail.

What can be done to prevent this delinquency? First, parents and educators must open their lines of communication. Second, follow-up for all drop outs needs to exist, and last, an alternative school for at-risk students needs to be created.

Webster defines communication as "the exchange of thoughts of information." In order for a youth to receive quality educational service, communication must exist between parents and educators. In many cases, truancy can be prevented when all persons who come in contact with our youth become involved in the educational process. Today's young people face many societal pressures not even fathomed by previous generations. Divorce is on the rampage, sex and violence are constantly being flashed across television screens, and drugs and alcohol have become common substances abused among young people. These and other pressures have contributed to the delinquency of our youth. School becomes the least of their worries when there are so many outside distractions. If educators are made aware of students non-academic problems, they can better personalize educational delivery and in turn reduce delinquency. In the same light, parents must be informed of their child's progress in school. PTAs were created for this purpose and should be one of the strongest educational organizations. If academic intervention is necessary, teachers and administrators should be willing to suggest ways to enhance academic progress as opposed to allowing students to "lose out" on what might have been a brighter future.

Follow-up of drop outs is a second means of reducing delinquency. Within two weeks of a drop date, efforts should be made to "track down" students in order to refer them to an alternative educational setting. Cape Girardeau Vocational/Technical School offers an outstanding GED program where students can turn an educational failure into a positive experience. Not all our drop outs are referred to this program, which this writer feels is unfortunate. Some are literally living on the streets with no hope for productive futures. Educators, myself included, need to be more sensitive to the needs of our students by doing more than collecting our paychecks. What harm is there in making home visits to show concern for students? They must realize that teachers and administrators are willing to put forth extra effort to ensure their continued success. In most cases, young people realize the importance of education, they just need more motivation to learn. Sometimes the "little things" like a hug or a kind voice in inspirational and will light that "motivational fire." Students should not be made to feel guilty that they have dropped out of school, they should only be made aware that mistakes are made, but can always be corrected. The key is positive, loving, but also firm follow up.

Alternative schools offer another means of lowering delinquency statistics. Let's face it, some students, even when stuck with a cattle prod, will not respond to ANY type of classroom setting. Alternative schools use everyday life experience as learning tools.

Creativity is important in this educational environment. An example would be studying Civil War history by designing uniforms of that of that particular era to be used in a stage production. Students requiring extra motivation respond well to this type of educational delivery. Learning becomes fun!

In summary, educators and parents must work together to reduce delinquency among today's youth. Responsibility does not lie solely with one group. We all must show our children we care! Communication liens between parents and educators must remain open, thorough follow up on all drop outs must exist and alternative schools need to be created for those students who need special motivation. The 1990's should nurture successful youth who will soon be the leaders of our country. We, as parents and educators must play a vital role in the successful futures of our students. This can only occur with excessive amounts of blood, sweat and tears. Let's do our best to make the 1990s a decade of reformation.