THE GREAT UNKNOWN
Though retired from teaching, Hall still volunteers at LEAP, working with students who are struggling in reading and math.
Many read English at an elementary school level. One, who reads at a second-grade level, will turn 21 in July and won’t be able to return to LEAP. Hall said she’s nervous about what will happen to him.
Because there isn’t a system in place to track students who age out, it’s not always clear where they end up. In 2012, both LEAP and Wellstone had more students drop out than graduate.
These students arrive motivated and excited to learn, Hall said. But with many approaching the age-out deadline and the point in their lives when they have to start supporting themselves and their families, there aren’t always options.
“This is still one of the best jobs in the world, working with this group of kids,” she said. “And that’s why I get so mad when we have to stop doing it because of some arbitrary thing.”
Article Appeared @http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/01/10/education/teenagers-without-english-skills-face-highest-high-school-hurdles-of-all?from=education