High School Dropouts and Race

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/united-states/Documents/TheSilentEpidemic3-06FINAL.pdf

Read "An Open Letter to the American People."

Go to Boostup.org, Click on "The Facts" and then "National Dropout Rates" and also "Why Students Drop Out."

Read through some of the facts and go through the charts.

On a piece of paper, answer the questions below:

1. Why do you think Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans are dropping out of school at a rate higher than Whites or Asians?

2. Think about stereotypes people have of some ethnic groups. Do you think expectations are different based on what ethnic group you are? Give examples to support your answer.

3. Give some example of stereotypes when it comes to ethnic groups and academics/school.

4. Do you think if you're a minority, you are more likely to get in trouble at school? Why or why not?

5. Think about Esperanza in House on Mango Street, or Junior in Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. What factors in their life might influence them to drop out?

6. How does poverty/being poor affect a student's education?

7. How does somebody's race/ethnic background affect a student's education?