Franklin Schargel’s Blog

I was privileged to deliver a keynote and a breakout at the Western Canadian At-Risk Conference.  Here is some of the feedback.

“Franklin is upbeat, positive, and I appreciate his humor and research based data.  He speaks with knowledge and passion in such a manner that his audience is entertained, enriched and most importantly rejuvenated and hopeful.  I left each of his sessions carying the lightness of optimism.”  Ann Wandler, Counselor

“Smart, practical and real life understanding of what is going on in schools with real practical solutions.”  Shelly Velsink, Educational Assistant

“Franklin’s experience on the front lines is real and valuable to share with all educators.”  Jillian Marino, Assistant Principal

Franklin promised us a session that would be informational, inspirational, humorous, solve the world’s education problems and answer our questions.  He totally delivered.”  Elizabet Shen, Principal

The more risk factors a child faces, the more likely they are to drop out.

1. Attendance
2. Grade Point Average
3. Standardized test scores
4. Number of grade retentions
5. Number of discipline referrals
6. Educational Level of parents
7. Special Education Placement
8. Free and Reduced Lunch Program
9. Number of school transfers
10. Reading and Math Scores
11. Ethnic and gender distinctions
12. Language spoken at home
13. Number of school suspensions
14. Interest in school
15. Participation in extra-curricula activities
16. Pregnancy/teen parent
17. Number of counseling referrals
18. Family status (broken home, single parent family, family size, merged family)

Source: The National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University (NDPC)

Educators believe that they love to read and children do not. Yet they have a hard time explaining the success of the Harry Potter series. Children like adults like to read what they want to read.

Who amongst us has read their computer-operating manual? Or their instruction form from their 1040 Instructions for their income tax? We, like children like to read what we like to read. Children do like to read. How else can you explain the Harry Potter phenomenon?

I can remember what short story turned me on to reading. It was Frank Stockton’s “The Lady or the Tiger”? Can you remember what short story, novel, non-fiction book made this kind of impression on you? Why not explain to students your favorite book or short story, or author?

What one book, which you can obtain for free, do ALL teenagers want to read? It is the instruction manual needed to get a driver’s license. Maybe we should teach reading to reluctant readers using this book. In addition, driver’s manuals also have an assessment that measures comprehension. My math and science teacher friends tell me that there are math and physics concepts that can be used in the driver’s manual.

Teachers can put copies of the instruction manual in the back of the classroom along with old copies of “Car and Driver”, “Sport’s Illustrated”, Glamour”, “Teen”, “People”, “US”, “Seventeen”. Old copies of these magazines can be obtained from the school library or the public library. In addition, newsstands return the covers of these magazines for credit, to the publisher and generally throw out the rest. Write a letter to the publishers and ask if you can obtain previous copies. In the letter explain the purpose of your request and tell them they have the ability to build new readership. Encourage the parents of your students to contribute to your library of magazines.

This posting is from my new book, “152 Ways to Keep Students in School:  Effective, Easy-to-Implement Tips for Teachers” to be published by Eye on Education, April 30, 2008.