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The true risk of our under-educated youth

Originally published in the Daily Record

Education

by Craig A. Thompson

MPPI IN THE NEWS

Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in the number of discussions surrounding our youth and education. Earlier this year, the Maryland public school system moved to the ìhead of the classî nationwide, capturing a seat at the top of the national school rankings in six important categories.

Education Week, the nation's leading education newspaper, found that Maryland's state education system is one of the best - if not the best - and lauded our remarkable achievements.

Although the great strides made by the system and our students can and must be applauded, it is critical that we remember another important universe of students, and consider their options in an ever-changing global economy. Many educators, social scientists and others have bought into the notion that the future of some of our communities is bleak because a number of our young people are ill-prepared to tackle the challenges they face and are likely to face.

Sadly, too many of our youth have become associated with an over-used label which has caused some in our community to give up hope. The label in question: "At-Risk."

We are all at risk

The term has been used over and over again. Think about how many times you have heard (or said) the term "at-risk youth" when referring to a generation many have asked questions about. When we see or hear that phrase, there are very few questions as to whom we are referring.

Instead of calculating actual risk as determined by personal history or actions, we simply calculate risk based on looks, styles of speech, living conditions, neighborhoods and race.

Frankly, we should look at ourselves and our own communities when we seek to determine any risk associated with our youth.

When our young people are angry and frustrated, WE are at risk, because we will feel the effects of their rage. When our young people are failing in schools and in the work force, WE are at risk, because they hold the keys to our future. When our young men are dropping out and failing to set clear goals, WE are at risk, because they will become part of a group of ineligible husbands and fathers.

The Maryland Public Policy Institute recently issued a report entitled The High Cost of Maryland's Dropout Rate,î and found, among other things:

1. Each year's class of dropouts costs Maryland taxpayer's $42 million every year.

2. Approximately 27,000 Maryland students from the class of 2007 failed to graduate from high school.

3. Each additional Maryland high school dropout costs the state about $1,555 a year in lost revenue.

Beacons of hope

The University of Maryland system recently concluded that a large number of high-achieving students leave the state to attend college, and many of those students decide not to return to Maryland to live, work and grow a family.

Indeed, the fact that Maryland's K-12 system is one of the best in the nation is a wonderful statistic to discuss, but we must continue the discussion and develop ways not only to keep those students in Maryland, but also to reduce the number of dropouts.

Both scenarios result in a significant reduction in revenue for the state. Clearly, when our students do not do well, we are at risk.

We can look at examples like the Bronx Preparatory Charter School in the heart of New York, which saw the percentage of students performing at grade level in math jump from 29 percent to 71 percent in seven months. We can applaud the Science, Engineering, Mathematics & Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) program, which has given students in historically under-represented areas throughout the country a healthy dose of math and science since 1993.

We can learn more about the Maryland Mentoring Partnership, which creates programs designed to match young people with caring and capable mentors. We can also model the SEED School of Maryland, which serves as a college preparatory school for students around the state, right in the heart of Baltimore.

There are many opportunities for the public and private sectors to partner together for the success of future. To diminish the true risks associated with under-educated youth, it is imperative that we learn more about these options, and commit ourselves to support them.

Craig A. Thompson, who writes a monthly column for The Daily Record, is a partner at Venable LLP, and represents clients in the areas of commercial litigation, products liability, and personal injury. He is the chair of the firm's diversity committee. He is also the host of a weekly two-way talk radio show, and the author of a series of children's books on African-American history. His e-mail address is CAThompson@Venable.com.