"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
The latest graduation rates for Charlotte-Mecklenburg High Schools are out, and, quite frankly, they're appalling.
Garinger "Leadership" High School…57%.
West Charlotte…54%.
Waddell…51%.
Wait a minute! HALF of the students at a high school do not graduate in four years?!
But those are the extremes, you might say.
Well, the average for CMS schools is just 72%.
Okay, who's to blame?
Well simply everybody.
At least SOME of the teachers, principals, and administrators are just not getting the job done.
Students – wake up! Dropping out of school is not as cool as you think it is.
College graduates are having a tough time finding jobs. What chance do you think YOU'LL have?
And parents, you shoulder the ultimate responsibility for your children.
Do your job.
At Mallard Creek High School, parents insist that their children attend after-school tutoring.
They monitor their kids' attendance and behavior.
Mallard Creek's graduation rate? 93%.
And no, they're not an affluent high school with "Type A" parents.
Three-fourths are from minorities. 40% could be classified as "poor."
But Mallard Creek's students, teachers, and parents simply expect the best. And they do what's necessary to achieve excellence.
That's something we should insist on from all of our schools.
Tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
