As Strong as the Weakest Link: Urban High School Dropout

The U.S. government in conjunction with public and private sectors are failing American society by failing the vast majority of America's urban youth. This failure is seen in America's public inner city schools where the numbers of students graduating from high school vs. the number of students dropping out of high school are, at best, one to one. A disproportionate number of these students are Black and Hispanic (Dei, G. et. al., 1997). Some studies show rates as high as 47% for Hispanics and 61% for Blacks while Hispanics make up only 13% of the U.S. population and Blacks make up 12% of the total population (Tucker, C. and Herman, K., 2002 and Hammack, 1986). Similar statistics are seen in the City School District of Rochester, New York, where approximately 80% of the dropouts within the City are Black and/or Hispanic (Rochester City School District; Year End Statistical Report). It becomes apparent that the social goal of educational equity for all students is not being met.