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Higher standards lead to higher dropout rates
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EMAIL: nshepard@deseretnews.com Twitter: @NicoleEShepard

New graduation requirements are credited for the increased class of 2014 dropout rates.
In an effort to prepare students for the demands of college, many high schools have added requirements for graduation. However, according to a study released July 15, these efforts are doing just the opposite.
Dropout rates for the class of 2014 have risen three points from 8 to 11 percent in one year. This increase is attributed to both new exit exams and more math and science requirements.
“Obviously, it is important for students to be prepared to complete rigorous coursework in college,” Sarah D. Sparks of Education Week said, “but if students never manage to get to college it's a bit of a moot point.”
The long-term effects of the increased dropout rate are expected to be costly for more than the individuals. Arizona Education News reported an estimated $7.6 billion cost for the state over the lifetime of just this year’s dropouts. This number includes everything from government benefits that’ll likely go to those who don’t graduate to the restricted financial mobility that comes from limited job opportunities.
“Finishing high school provides students with something far more valuable than photos and memories,” Anne Hyslop, the researcher behind “The Case Against Exit Exams,” said. “It is a prerequisite for life-long economic stability. Without a high school degree, college—let alone the federal financial aid to pay for it—is off the table. And good luck trying to get a well-paying job, or any job, as a high school dropout.”
The new courses are connected to the Common Core standards established in 40 states, whereas the exit exams do include material from Common Core but are only found in 24 states.
“Many analysts expected student performance on state exams would initially drop,” Education Week’s Caralee Adams said. This is because “the first wave of students will not have had sufficient instructional time with the new curriculum.”
But the class of 2014 will not be the last group to not have enough time with the curriculum to perform well on exit exams. Consequently, three of the 24 states with exit exams have said they will drop the exams, but want to further consider keeping the increased number of required classes for graduation.
“Some states are considering strategies to minimize the risk to students during the transition, such as phasing in new requirements gradually or only using the results from lower-level subjects as exit exams, and setting one cut score for graduation and a higher one for readiness,” Adams said. “But, adjusting the exit exams to ensure students can graduate from high school would counteract efforts to "increase rigor and student achievement.”

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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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