Franklin Schargel’s Blog

During the 1990’s America’s business community found comfort in being able to hire foreign workers in many countries – particularly in India and China – to supplement or supplant scientists and mathematicians, and people skilled in technology.

According to a report in USA Today, based on research of Vivek Wadhwa from Duke University, skilled immigrants are returning to their home countries.  Wadhwa projects that in the next five years, 100,000 immigrants will go back to India and an additional 100,000 will return to China.

The report indicates that there are three reasons for the reverse brain drain.  These immigrants in their home country are now seeing career opportunities back home.  The quality of life is better in India and China and cheaper as well.  And, as a result of 9/11 it is increasingly difficult for immigrants to come to the United States.

What are the implications for America’s schools?  American industry has become accustomed to hiring skilled foreign workers.   To a large degree, America’s science and math teachers have not majored nor minored in science or mathematics.  Many individuals trained in math or science went into the more lucrative occupations in industry as well as jobs with better working conditions.  If America’s businesses want people trained in math, science and technology one of the things they will have to do is help create better working conditions for schools as well as insisting that state governments pay K-12 educators more money.

A study from the United States Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center found that in about two-thirds of 37 school shootings in the last 25 years, the attackers felt “bullied, persecuted, threatened, attacked or injured.”  Between 50 and 70 percent of them have been viciously bullied and teased.  “Does this mean if you are bullied and teased you’re going to pick up a gun? No,” said William Pollack, an expert on the psychology of boys.  “But it does mean that those who have gotten thrown over the edge had been bullied and teased? Absolutely!”

The first large-scale national study of bullying by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development survey 15,686 private and public school students in grades 6 through 10.  The study found that 10.6 percent of the children had been bullied “sometime” or “weekly”, 13 percent had bullied others and 6.3 percent had been the bully and the target.

Bullying takes place more frequently in junior high or middle schools more frequently than high schools and most frequently among male students.

What can schools do to stop this growing plague?  If you see bullying take place – stop it.  Encourage students to come forward if they have been bullied.  Have students form a group to stand up for bullied students.  If a student has been bullied, he/she should create a “bully prevention team” to stand together to prevent bullying.

If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United States by David J. Smith, the author reduces the USA to the same-size 100-person village.

In it we learn that 50 of 100 live in just nine states (12 of them in California). The combined populations of five rural states “” Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota “” amount to just one person. (Each “person” equals more than 3 million people.)

It also tackles economic inequality, noting that:

“¢Five people share more than half the USA’s wealth;

“¢One person controls more than 30%;

“¢The 60 poorest share about 4%.

Germans would be the largest group represented with 15 followed by The Irish 11, African 9, English 9, Mexican 7, Italian 6, Polish 3, French 3, Scotch/Irish 1, and Swedish 1.

Regarding religions: 40 attend services weekly, 10 are non religious, 82 are Christians, 54 are Protestants, Roman Catholics represent 24, Mormons 2, Buddhist 2, Jewish 1, Muslims 1

Detroit has the highest percentage of teen births (20% of all births in the city are to mothers under age 20), followed by Cleveland (19%), Jackson, MS, and Memphis (both at 18%).
San Francisco has the lowest percentage of teen births (3% of all births in the city are to mothers under age 20), followed by Seattle (4%) and Honolulu (6%).
The report also includes data by city on the percentage of teen births that are repeat births (two or more births to teen mothers):
Dallas has the highest percentage of teen births that are repeat births (28% of all teen births in the city are repeat births), followed by Jackson, MS (27%), and four cities at 26% (Providence, San Antonio, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma City).
Boston has the lowest percentage of teen births that are repeat births (11% of all teen births in the city are repeat births), followed by four cities at 14% (San Francisco, Honolulu, Virginia Beach, and New York).
The report, which is based primarily on Child Trends’ analyses of data from the National Center for Health Statistics, also includes national and state-level trends in teen childbearing.  City-level data are from 2006, the most recent year for which such data are available.

As everyone is aware, teenage pregnancy is a major cause for young women dropping out of school.  Check the Child Trends Website to see where your city stacks up.

The United States Census Bureau has reported on the 2009-2010 Back to School Data.  I am including the sources of this information for those of you who would like additional information.

$7.6 billion
The amount of money spent at family clothing stores in August 2008. Only in December were sales significantly higher. Similarly, sales at bookstores in August 2008 totaled $2.4 billion, an amount approached in 2008 only by sales in January.
Source: Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services <https://www.census.gov/mrts/www/mrts.html>

For back-to-school shopping, choices of retail establishments abound: In 2006, there were 25,430 family clothing stores, 6,417 children and infants clothing stores, 26,699 shoe stores, 9,425 office supply and stationery stores, 23,270 sporting goods stores, 10,989 bookstores and 9,969 department stores.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>
Students

76 million
The number of children and adults enrolled in school throughout the country in October 2007 "” from nursery school to college. They comprised 27 percent of the entire population 3 and older.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>
Pre-K through 12 Enrollment

55%

Percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school in October 2007.

Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

71%

Percentage of children 3 to 6 enrolled in kindergarten who attended all day, as of October 2007.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

56 million
The projected number of students to be enrolled in the nation's elementary through high schools (grades K-12) this fall.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 214 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

11%
Projected percentage of elementary through high school students enrolled in private schools this fall.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 214 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

42%
Percentage of elementary through high school students who were minorities, as of October 2007.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

23%

Percentage of elementary through high school students who have at least one foreign-born parent in October 2007.
Five percent were foreign-born themselves.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

50%
Percentage of kindergarten through 12th-grade students in California who had at least one foreign-born parent. California led the nation, followed by Nevada with 36 percent. New York, Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Jersey and Hawaii also had at least one-quarter of students this age with at least one foreign-born parent.
Source: School Enrollment in the United States: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/012637.html>

12%
Percentage of children 6 to 11 who participated in lessons, sports and clubs as of 2006. Lessons include those taken after school or on the weekend in subjects such as music, dance, language, computers or religion.
Source: A Child's Day: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

26%
Percentage of children 6 to 11 who had ever attended or been enrolled in first grade or higher and had changed schools at some point as of 2006. For children 12 to 17, the corresponding rate was 42 percent. (Does not include the normal progression and graduation from elementary and middle schools.)
Source: A Child's Day: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

6%
The percentage of children 6 to 11 who had ever repeated a grade as of 2006. For children 12 to 17, the rate was 11 percent.
Source: A Child's Day: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

67%
Percentage of children 6 to 17 whose parents reported that their kids often like school.
Source: A Child's Day: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>
Languages

10.9 million
Number of school-age children (5 to 17) who speak a language other than English at home; 7.9 million of these children speak Spanish at home.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <https://factfinder.census.gov/>

45%
Percentage of children enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade in California who spoke a language other than English at home. California, which led all states, was followed by Texas (35 percent), New Mexico (34 percent) and Arizona (32 percent). The national average was 21 percent.
Source: School Enrollment in the United States: 2006 <https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/012637.html>
Lunchtime

31 million
Average number of children participating each month in the national school lunch program in 2008.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 558 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

College

19 million
The projected number of students enrolled in the nation's colleges and universities this fall. This is up from 13.5 million 20 years ago.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 214 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

15%
Percentage of all college students 35 and older in October 2007. They made up 36 percent of those attending school part time.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

66%
Percentage of undergraduates enrolled in four-year colleges in October 2007. Of those enrolled in such schools, 82 percent attended full time.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

49%
Percentage of 18- and 19-year-olds enrolled in college in 2007.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>

55%
Percentage of undergraduates who were women in October 2007. Women comprised an even greater share of graduate students: 60 percent.
Source: School Enrollment "“ Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html>
How Many Schools?

98,793
Number of public schools in 2006-07. In 2007-08, there were 28,218 private schools.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Tables 234 and 255 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

4,352
Number of institutions that granted college degrees in 2007.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 269 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

3,970
The number of public charter schools nationwide in 2006-07. These schools, exempt from selected state and local rules and regulations, enrolled 1.2 million students.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 233 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>
Teachers and Other School Personnel

7.2 million
Number of teachers in the United States in 2008. Some 2.9 million teach at the elementary and middle school level. The remainder includes those teaching at the postsecondary, secondary, and preschool and kindergarten levels. Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 603 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

$63,640
Average annual salary of public school teachers in California as of the 2006-2007 school year "” the highest of any state. Teachers in South Dakota received the lowest pay "” $35,378. The national average was $50,758. High school principals earned $97,486 annually in 2007-08.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Tables 247 and 250 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

$16.56
Average hourly wage for the nation's school bus drivers in 2007-08. Custodians earned $14.19, while cafeteria workers made $11.60.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 250 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>
Technology

14.2 million
Number of computers available for classroom use in the nation's schools as of the 2005-2006 school year. That works out to one computer for every four students.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 252 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>
The Rising Cost of College

$14,915
Average tuition, room and board (for in-state students) at the nation's four-year public colleges and universities for an entire academic year (2007-08). That was more than double the cost in 1990.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 282 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

$40,640
Average tuition, room and board at the nation's four-year private colleges and universities for one academic year (2007-08). That also was more than double the 1990 figure.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 282 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>
The Rewards of Staying in School

$80,977
Average annual 2007 earnings of workers 18 and older with an advanced degree. This compares with $21,484 for those without a high school diploma. In addition, those with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $57,181 in 2007, while those with a high school diploma earned $31,286.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html>

$75,621
Average starting salary offered to bachelor's degree candidates in petroleum engineering in 2008, among the highest of any field of study. At the other end of the spectrum were those majoring in a social science, who were offered an average of $39,476.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 287 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>
Graduation

3.3 million
Projected number of high school diplomas that will be awarded in the 2009-10 school year.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 216 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>

3.2 million
Number of college degrees expected to be conferred in the 2009-10 school year.
Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 216 <https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>
Government Spending on Public Education

$9,666
The per-pupil expenditure on public elementary and secondary education nationally in 2007. New York ($15,981) spent the most among states or state equivalents, followed by New Jersey ($15,691) and the District of Columbia ($14,324). Utah ($5,683) spent the least per student, followed by Idaho ($6,625) and Tennessee ($7,113). Source: Public Education Finances: 2007
<https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/014091.html

Many schools and states have found that it is easier for schools and students to take on-line courses to complete their credentials.  State Departments of Education are also encouraging students to take on-line courses so that students are not counted as dropouts.  Of course, it is also cheaper for schools to offer on-line courses and this has become a major way of providing courses for students.  It allows schools to offer Advance Placement Classes when there aren’t a sufficient number of students in a single school.  Certain courses with a limited student demand can also be offered.

An entire industry has developed among charter schools which offer on-line education as their sole means of delivering instruction.  Virtual high schools have developed in some states, Florida among them.

Among online students who dropped out of their degree or certificate programs, 40 percent failed to seek any help or resources before abandoning their programs, according to a recent EducationDynamics survey. Conducted in November 2008 among about 150 respondents who visited EducationDynamics’ sites eLearners.com and EarnMyDegree.com, the survey was designed to identify students’ motivations for deserting their online degree or certificate programs.

Financial challenges (41 percent) proved to be the main contributor to student attrition, followed by life events (32 percent), health issues (23 percent), lack of personal motivation (21 percent), and lack of faculty interaction (21 percent). Nearly half (47 percent) of students who dropped out did so even before completing one online course.

When asked to select the resources that online institutions could have provided to improve the online student experience, 53 percent craved more online student services and Web-based academic advising. Self-help, time management, and organizational advice also ranked as coveted offerings among students who dropped out (46 percent).

“These survey results confirm the fact that schools can play a more active role in retaining students by identifying their key life issues, such as important personal events and financial issues, and creating compelling interactive content that addresses them,” said Peter Tomassi, senior vice president of product development for the company.