1102 homework

Topic: High Dropout Rate of Hispanic Students in Secondary School

Three Causes:

1. Language barrier for both students and their parents

2. Lack of stability in home environment (due to lack of economic opportunity)

3. Social maladjustment owing to external factors (gang violence, drugs, crime, pregnancy, work to help household economically)

Original In-class Essay (Sample Introductory Paragraph):

Since the 1970’s, the dropout rate of students has been steadily increasing overall, with an especially high percentage of Hispanic first-generation students quitting school before graduation. Over the last few decades, the percentage of Hispanic dropouts has reached as high as 40%. This is detrimental to society as well as the individuals who are doomed to a life of poverty and hardship. The three main causes of Hispanics dropping out may include language issues, home environment instability, and social maladjustment in general owing to external factors beyond their control.

There should be a supporting paragraph explain each of the causes, and the essay should end with a concluding paragraph.

Examples of quotations that one might find to support the points explained in the supporting paragraphs:

1. On language barrier: (source: John Smith’s article “Hispanics and the Dropout Rate”)

a. “ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] classes are often sub-standard in academic content.”

b. “Often, a student with no proficiency in English is thrown in with native-born students and must ‘sink or swim.’ “

Create a new paragraph incorporating these quotations and place it after your paragraph on the same topic (cause #1—language barrier)

One informative source on the topic of the Hispanic dropout rate, particularly as caused by the language barrier, is John Smith’s article “Hispanics and the Dropout Rate.” Smith points out that most immigrants are forced to adjust to the American school system with little or no help or guidance. He says, “ Often, a student with no proficiency in English is thrown in with native-born students and must ‘sink or swim.’ “ This is a very challenging experience, and many cannot both learn English and learn their subjects simultaneously. However, many school systems offer “special” classes for immigrant children designed to help them succeed, but even these classes sometimes hurt more than they help. Smith notes, “ESOL [English for Speakers of Others Languages] classes are often sub-standard in academic content.” Instead of learning at the rate of their American peers, they learn a watered-down curriculum.