JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) – The U.S. Department of Education
released a study Tuesday showing a decreasing number of high school students is
dropping out. But there is a new problem
students are not getting their degrees on time.
The study indicates the percentage of high school
students who got their diplomas in four years was 75 percent for Arkansas in
2009-10, compared to 78 percent nationally.
Nettleton High School has not had to worry about their
dropout rate. Amanda Waln, Senior Counselor at Nettleton High School, says
their dropout rate is generally not a concern. The school has implemented a new
program this year that allows students who have fallen behind a chance to make
up those missed classes.
The school also gives students an advisory period in the
middle of the day to meet and talk with their teachers. Senior English teacher
Kristi Harvey has been teaching at Nettleton for 20 years and says she has
certainly noticed a difference.
"If a school only offers a very limited path to
graduation," Harvey said. "Then a lot of kids are not going to have that
opportunity to take that path."
Harvey said she uses the curriculum to keep her student's
attention and to keep them motivated.
"A lot of times we can take out curriculum," Harvey said.
"And take those things that we know in the past kids have found very
interesting and we can kind of move our curriculum around and put those things
after Spring break."
Veronica Smith talks to one Region 8 school who
shares Region 8's Veronica Smith spoke
to one Region 8 high school who shared what they are doing to help their
students graduate on time on Region 8 News at 6 and 10.
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