Record number of high school freshmen failing

Rene Hill

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

An epidemic is growing among the Clark County School District high school freshmen. They are failing their freshman year of high school in record numbers.

According to district numbers, 30, and in some schools 40, percent of the freshman classes have failed the crucial first year of high school. The failure rate is alarming, and educators are trying to identify the causes.

While there is no single reason for the problem, high school teachers are beginning to voice their concerns in some specific areas, and middle school preparation is one factor of the equation.

Studies have found that the middle school years are the most crucial in establishing patterns of success in high school, and many students are not learning responsibilities needed to excel during the four years they spend in senior high. One of the biggest areas of concern is homework.

I have spent much of my teaching career in the high school setting, and the biggest battle I had was getting students to understand the importance of homework, both for learning new concepts and keeping passing grades. I and many of my colleagues have counted homework grades heavily because they reinforce the classroom lessons.

Since I have begun teaching middle school, however, I am finding mixed opinions on the need for homework, and therein lies the battle. If students are not learning the importance of homework in middle school, then how will they understand that it needs to be done when they reach senior high?

Numerous educational studies have determined that students retain more when they continue working on a concept after school hours. Some teachers I have talked to don't give homework because "the kids won't do it anyway." This is an unacceptable attitude and one that doesn't help the students.

Yes, it is difficult at times to get middle school students to tackle homework, but with some work on the part of the teacher and parents, we can drive home the understanding that homework is important. I give students an academic study hall after school if they don't complete several homework assignments.

I also call home to let the parents know that they are falling behind. Many times parents are surprised to find that their student has homework because the child says "no" when asked about it.

Communication is an important component in school success. If your children are saying they don't have homework, contact the teachers. Ask about the homework policy. If the teacher does not give homework, then ask why.

In order for students to succeed, they must develop a work ethic. Beginning the ethic in middle school is a good way to ensure that habits are developing to boost success into high school and college. Education is a joint effort.

Rene Hill is an English teacher in the Clark County School District. She can be reached c/o The News, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074 or editor@hbcpub.com.