Hello, Dr. Payne. My district has a program for high school students called “Practical Careers”. We have students with special needs, on IEP’s and who are slightly short of the 26 credits required to graduate. This program allows students to work outside the classroom in paying jobs and earn high school credits. It employs a “job coach” who assists with finding these students jobs and then monitors them on the job site until it is determined they are able to fulfill the duties on their own. A high percentage of these students are from poverty. I would like to add too, these students also develop a relationship with this “job coach” and look at her as a mentor. Throughout your book you express how important education is in order to move out of poverty. What are your thoughts on this program? Do you feel that these students need to be in the classroom receiving more education from a teacher? Do you feel that because these students are working, making money they will not further their education if given the chance and they will never move from poverty? Please explain.
I have another question for you. When addressing your critics you have said that your goal from your entire work is, “20 years from now no one will say, that child is poor and he can’t learn”. Our education system was not losing state funding at the time, No Child Left Behind existed and our economy was not in a recession or supposedly coming out of a recession at that time. Can you give me insight into how you feel about this goal now with our current economic situation and education system today?
Your question regarding the job connection to school was a very interesting one to me. I realize it is different than a career center, but alternatives for students are essential. The potential for a student who may drop out to stay in school long enough to graduate, develop skills, positive work habits, and build a relationship with a mentor all seem positive alternatives for a student who may not be "college bound".
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