“A huge mistake” – Chicago increases drops outs, kills successful programs
We have persistently urged Chicago school leaders to stop flunking students because flunking doesn’t work, costs too much, and raises the drop out rate.
A report coming out today puts a dollar cost on the human tragedy of school drop outs. It’s a lot, as Greg Hinzpoints out in Crain’s:
“The study, based on U.S. Census data, suggests that dropouts nationally will be a net drain on the government, collecting an average of $70,850 more in benefits like food stamps in their lifetimes than they’ll pay in taxes. In comparison, the typical high school grad will make a net positive contribution of $236,060.”
Compare this drain on the economy with the huge benefit of programs like Chicago’s Child Parent Centers, which, according to University of Minnesota professor Arthur C Reynolds, returned an