High School Correlation of Charter and Public School Dropout Rate Population in Michigan (Research Paper Sample)

High school correlation of charter and public school dropout rate population in Michigan
Student’s Name
University Affiliation

Introduction
Education is the backbone to the success in this modern world. It defines and models what many young people can achieve in the future and has a long lasting impact on their lifestyles and future achievements (Elmore, 2004). This, therefore, calls for young people to complete their primary and high school studies before proceeding to tertiary education. An estimate study indicates that a large percentage of school graduates are likely to be self-reliant after graduation compared to those who drop out before their graduation from high school. However, recent studies indicate that there is a large number of young people dropping out from high schools in Michigan (Edmonds, 2009). This study is to focus on this menace of high school dropout in comparison between public high schools and chartered high schools in Michigan State. This research is done with the aim of finding a relationship between dropout rates in the respective types of high schools, and what measures can be implemented to curb the problem.
Background of the problem
The State of Michigan has fared worse in public high school graduation, with the most affected being the students coming from low-income homes. The estimation being only 64 percent of them graduating. This percentage is way below the overall graduation rates as compared to other states. However, the law indicates that all children are required to receive an education, and governments are required to provide this training (Falls, 2010).
Recent studies have shown that dropout rates are higher in public high schools compared to the chartered high schools (Estwick, 2013). This research, therefore, focuses on finding the root of this problem, and try to find out what can be done, on the side of the student, the schools, parents and the society as a whole. Community involvement is required since this is a cyclic menace; you let it occur in this generation, and it will inevitably happen in the next generations too (Edmonds, 2009).
Theoretical Foundations and Review of the Literature / Theme
Theoretical foundations/ conceptual framework
Various theories have been formulated to try explain this rising trend of high school dropouts in the State. The theories come from general conceptualized ideas that might not hold at times, though most of it tend to be true (Hord, Rutherford, Huling-Austin, & Hall, 2010). Most of the dropout students are those who come from low-income families. Statistics indicate that such students are twice as likely to drop out compared to those from middle income families, and over ten times more likely than students from high-income families. Students with disabilities have a high probability of dropping out before graduation. A larger percentage of drop outs consist of students from Hispanic and African American backgrounds (Estwick, 2013).. Asian American and White students have the least probability of dropping out. Student performance is also a contributing factor in the high number of dropouts (Falls, 2008). Statistics indicate that students who have poor academic performance, and those who repeat grades till they become over-age have a high probability of dropping out. Also of importance for a student to be able to complete their high school studies is the self-occupational aspirations (Estwick, 2013). Occupational aspirations on economic opportunities available for the young people plays a role in their determination to stay in school. Most dropouts always have the limited occupational aspirations than their counterparts.
Truancy
Truancy is considered as both a cause and, as a result, legal and economic problems. It is one of the early warnings of a potential dropout (Hansen, 1989). Truancy is mostly as a result of parental neglect. It mainly occurs to students whose parents lack high school degrees, are from low-income families; those who suffer from abuse or whose parents have a history of drug abuse. Mental illness can also be a source of truancy (Edmonds, R, 1979). In some cases, some are highly intelligent and are just bored with school. It is highly recorded in most public schools when compared to their chartered counterparts. This is likely to be attributed by the large populations in public high schools in comparison with the chartered schools. Hence, it is easier to monitor students in chartered schools (Falls, 2008).
Review of the literature/ Themes
Effects To the society.
School dropout is one of the major drawbacks to the society. Dropouts have a less likelihood of securing jobs for themselves, as compared to their graduated peers. Furthermore, if the trend continues, it might lead to a society that does not value the power of education, hence influencing the cycle to continue to the coming generations (Glaser, & Strauss, 1967). Joblessness as a result of dropping out may also lead to engagement in criminal activity in the region, hence increases insecurity and drug abuse might be experienced in such places (Fenstermacher, 1994).
Comparison between public and chartered schools.
Most public schools have been overwhelmed by the large number of students they serve. The large populations in classes encourage truancy as students might miss school and be unnoticed, continuation of such habit is what leads to dropout (Elmore, 2010). Teachers are also overwhelmed and fail to take note of individual student performance in the classes, therefore not favoring poor performers who might be in need of the teacher’s attention (Dukes, & Lamar-Dukes, 2009).
However, most chartered schools consist of few students. Hence, student monitoring is in effect. The schools work towards achieving maximum performance from their students, hence early signs that might have otherwise gone unnoticed in public schools are taken into considerations here, thereby resulting into the low number of dropouts (Fenstermacher, 1994).
Summary
Most high school dropouts in Michigan have been attributed to most of the above mentioned issues. There is a high dropout rates in public high schools as compared to their charter high school counterparts, which can mainly be attributed to the high numbers of students in most public schools (Elmore, 2000). The society also has a role to play that can help reduce the impacts of high school dropouts, by alerting the local authorities incase of suspected cases of truancy and parental neglect.
Problem statement
It is unknown if and to which extent nature of school, parents of young people influence the high rate of drop outs in high schools in the region. This study strives to evaluate on how public schools can intervene and minimize dropout incidences (Edmonds, R, 2009). As a result of this, charter schools that accept back school dropouts have been created, hence giving them a chance to earn diplomas. These schools, also called dropout recovery charter schools do mostly attend to adults and a handful of conventional high school students (Falls, 2008).
Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Variables variable 1: High school student Dropouts
Variable 2: type of School
R1: Can there be interventions on the current high rates of high school student dropouts?
H1: There can be interventions on the currently high rates of high school student dropouts.
H01: There can’t be interventions on the currently high rates of high school student dropouts.
R2: In what way does the type of school determines the number of dropouts that can come out of it?
H2: The type of school determine the number of dropouts that can come out of it.
H02: The type of school does not determine the number of dropouts that can come out of it.
Importance of this study  This study comes out to be of great importance and is of significance since it can be used by the government and other educational stakeholders to help improve the quality of learning in the state public and chartered schools (Higgins, 2013).. The study has investigated the reasons for high school dropouts. Hence, the studied ideas can be used to create mechanisms to counterattack the problem. From this study, measures can be put in place to boost the morale of students who are deficient of their occupational aspirations. Such students who have been found to be potential dropouts can be shown a widely available niche in the economy and be motivated to study with specific aims and goals in mind (Higgins, 2013).
Rationale for Methodology
This quantitative study can be used to develop a proper understanding on the reasons for high school student dropout. Therefore, a quantitative study approach can be a significant source of adequate amounts of data at a cost effective and time efficient way (Higgins, 2013). The studies can be carried out across five public high schools and two chartered high schools in Michigan. Other sources of data such as reliable internet databases that contain past studies on dropout statistics in Michigan can also be used (Hess, 2012). Close-ended questionnaires may also be of use in gathering opinions from randomly selected students in the respective schools. The Michigan Education Information System (MEIS) is also a source of information needed for the study.
Nature of the research design for the study
The research design to be used for this study mostly follows a quantitative research design, most of the data will be collected from MEIS, and others from individual students in the selected schools.
Purpose for the Study
The purpose for this research is to get to determine the causes of most reported high school dropouts, and check on possible measures that can be undertaken to reverse the current trends. Most of the data used in this study will include student graduation records, attendance records. Other specifi...