Student success and high school graduation rates are a national concern. Why are the student success and graduation rates different?
Step 1: To begin this assignment, research the high school you attended and find out what the demographics of the community are (average household income, average property value, race/ethnicity, median property taxes, and the most common occupations for males and females). Also describe the school building, the student population (race/ethnicity, free/reduced lunch, special education), and your experience there. (Be sure to include data and statistical information from the provided sources.)
Step 2: Next, report on the graduation rates for your high school over the past 3 years. Compare that to state and national graduation rates. (Be sure to include data and statistical information from the provided sources.)
Step 3: Discuss how each of the Sociological theories (Conflict, Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism) is an explanation for the graduation rates.
Step 4: Take a position on which theory best applies to your own high school and community. Remember to take into account the surrounding communities as well as any cultural expectations you’ve observed.
Step 5: What do you think needs to change in your community and your high school to improve student success and graduation rates? How would that change happen?