Are You In or Are You Out?

When, if ever, is it appropriate to counsel students out of school? Is a GED the same as a high school diploma—and is it a better option for some students rather than others? Do schools have a duty to prevent students from dropping out—especially when these students lower the pass rates by which schools are evaluated and/or receive funding? This case follows the lives of three very different secondary students, their teachers, and their principal at a medium-sized, urban high school.

Discussion Questions

1. How should Rachel advise her students? What should she say to Sam about Tariq and Jayson?
2. Should Eva be prevented from dropping out? What about Tariq? Jayson?
3. Do schools have a duty to prevent students from dropping out?
4. Is a GED the same as a high school diploma? Should the GED be an option to some or to everyone?
5. To what degree does requiring students to graduate in four years limit students?
6. When is it acceptable for a principal to counsel students out of a school?
7. Should students be prevented from dropping out if, when they don’t, they lower pass rates by which schools are evaluated?