High School Dropout Age

I think that raising the high school dropout age to 18 would be a smart decision. In order to obtain even a job paying minimum wage, most places require at least a high school diploma. If we raise the dropout age to 18 it will help ensure that more students graduate with a diploma. I also think that the decision of dropping out of high school is one that should be made when a student is of legal age to make decisions, in most states, for themselves. When a student turns 18 they are considered legal, in most states, to make decisions for themselves without parental consent. I think if they make it to this age, they should be able to make an educated decision about dropping out of high school. If the high school dropout age is raised to 18, it would make a lot more sense in conjunction with other laws that are in place regarding age. If a student is trusted to make decisions without parental consent regarding their body and other activities, that is the time when they should be allowed to consider dropping out of high school.

(2009, November 15). Raise dropout age to 18. The Boston Globe.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/11/15/raise_dropout_age_to_18/

New Findings on Dyslexia

It was interesting to me to find out that dyslexics have a harder time tuning out background noises. I think this information can be very helpful to teachers. As teachers we strive to provide a learning environment that is conducive for all of the students in our class. I would hope that provided this information other teachers could work with dyslexic students in providing a quieter environment for learning. It would be interesting to see if these students really did begin to better understand information presented to them in an environment with less distracting background noise. I think this could be a simple thing teachers could be aware of to help their students with dyslexia. If I were to test this information out and work to provide a dyslexic student with a quieter learning environment it would be interesting to see if noise cancelling headphones would be worth the attention they would receive. I think that teachers should continually try to stay updated on this type of information because sometimes simple changes could mean the world to some students.

Alleyne, R. (2009, November 12). Dyslexics find it hard to filter out background noises. The Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/6544673/Dyslexics-find-it-hard-to-filter-out-background-noises.html

Healthy Student Eating Habits

I think that the school system in this article is definitely on the right track with providing elementary school students with breakfast, but I do not think that such unhealthy options should be provided as options. As elementary school students these children are at an extremely impressionable age. They do not have their parents there in the morning helping them make good decisions about the food they are about to start their day with. If these children are constantly bombarded with sugary unhealthy options, that is all they will learn to choose. While these children are young we need to instill better eating habits in them. If we start teaching them how to eat right from a young age, when they begin to make food decisions independently they will be making healthy ones. In a nation like ours in which obesity is a growing concern, I would think that teaching children to make smart decisions about how to eat a balanced diet would be a top priority. This school system has made a significant step in helping jump start their students in the morning, now they just need to start it with the right ingredients.

Eng, M. (2009, November 5). Chicago public schools breakfasts are big on doughnuts, sugary cereals. Chicago Tribune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-cps-breakfast-nov05,0,79591,full.story