Some learn, some barely show up

Alann Borsuk continues a very deep look at Milwaukee's Public High Schools:

You see the most heart-warming and admirable things in Milwaukee's large public high schools.

Except for when you don't.

You meet great kids, kids who are going to go on to great things. They're engaged, hardworking, goal-oriented, involved in extracurricular activities. You find them in every school, even those with the weakest reputations.

Except, in many schools, they are outnumbered by kids who trudge up to school doors carrying no backpacks or book bags - how many of them actually had homework last night? - and plod through the day, sullen, unengaged, unmotivated and often unchallenged by what is going on around them. And that's not to mention the kids who aren't present at all - generally about 20% of the total high school enrollment with unexcused absences on any given day.

Borsuk's first article in this series can be read here: "What is this Diploma Worth?"

Posted by Jim Zellmer at June 12, 2006 6:12 AM
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