Still more Indiana drop outs

Thirteen percent of Indiana teenagers from age 16 to 19 quit school in 2004, according to last week's Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count report. (And in case you didn't know, kids in this age group aren't well-known for making good decisions where the long-term effects need to be considered!)

The Casey report ranked Indiana last in the nation. This report is different from earlier graduation reports because it tallies how many kids drop out, rather than how many get diplomas.

Students, teachers, administrators, parents and legislators need to accept responsibility for these dismal numbers and do something about them! I've said it before and I'll say it again: No Child Left Behind isn't working. Many children are still being "left behind" by an educational system that is now so focused on teaching to the test.