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Texas Education Chief: Stop Hiring Dropouts

Wants 'voluntary ban' by state biz to get more to finish high school

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2009 1:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott, reeling from criticism that the state is underreporting its dropout rates, called yesterday on the state’s leading business group to institute a voluntary ban on hiring dropouts, the Dallas Morning News reports. “It would send a powerful message to these kids,” Scott argued, and it would be “better for businesses … in the long run.”

The Texas Association of Business doesn’t appear receptive. President Bill Hammond called it “a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t fit anybody,” adding that it seemed “hard-hearted” to turn everyone away. Hammond also criticized Scott for fudging the dropout numbers, which business groups believe are closer to 30% than the 12% the state claims.

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Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott is seen in this official photo. (Texas Education Agency)

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There are cases where kids who drop out get back on track by first becoming employed and then later continuing their education. To condemn those kids seems pretty hard-hearted to me. - Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Businesses

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 11 comments

Netstorm2k10

Aug 2, 2009 5:18 AM CDT

Everyone needs trig. Sorry, but it's true.

schmidtkoff

Aug 2, 2009 1:15 AM CDT

bored in high school in the 60's i dropped out in my senior year. i wanted to travel, to work. no resumes in those days you got jobs and on the job training through those you knew. (it still happens to some degree). after a 5 year stint at xerox as and admin. assistant temp i was offered to come on board. i opted, at 40 to try college. went to a 2 year, was again bored yet with a strong gpa transferred into a private university. but times have changed, they are tougher. i do think lindamae is right on with her comments..

kokuaguy

Aug 1, 2009 12:36 PM CDT

For the love of God, any state that doesn't guarantee a high school age student (and find a way to deliver it) should be taken over by the US Department of Education.

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Texas Education Chief: Stop Hiring Dropouts