| A 2006 newspaper report and a 2005 Princeton | | | | unemployment rates. The unemployment rate in |
| study spell costly problems for the students and | | | | Michigan is the worst in the country, and the high |
| residents of Detroit Schools. In 2006 USA Today | | | | percentage of drop-outs is directly linked. |
| reported on a study funded by the Bill & Melinda | | | | Over 50% of the inmates in Michigan jails are high |
| Gates Foundation. It said that several of the nation's | | | | school drop-outs. And it costs the state over |
| largest school districts had less than a 50% | | | | $29,000 a year just to house them. 40% of parents |
| graduation rate. Detroit Schools, the 11th largest | | | | on public assistance in the state are also drop-outs of |
| district in the country, was dead last with an appalling | | | | Detroit Schools (or other schools). |
| 21.7%. | | | | The problem gets worse when race is included as a |
| Of course, the study spurred heated debates | | | | factor. In fact, the Princeton study estimated the |
| regarding its accuracy and impartiality. In 2005 the | | | | increase in personal income that could be attained by |
| state and city placed the Detroit Schools' graduation | | | | raising the "educational attainment" of minority groups |
| rate at about 44-48%, depending on the source. | | | | to that of white students by 2020. It found that |
| Some of the discrepancy is accounted for by looking | | | | students in Michigan and Detroit Schools would gain |
| at "timely graduation rates" versus those who | | | | over $3 billion in additional total personal income. The |
| graduate in more than the four-year time period. | | | | question is how to make it happen. |
| Either way you look at it, no one in Detroit Schools is | | | | The racial gap has existed for years and it poses a |
| happy with it. | | | | huge problem for the Detroit Schools. Funding for |
| High School drop-outs cost Detroit Schools, and the | | | | adult education was slashed by over $50 million two |
| city's residents, money. Lots of money. A 2005 | | | | years ago. Now the Detroit Schools are struggling to |
| Princeton University study found that a high school | | | | meet mandates for class size and proficiency put in |
| drop-out, on average, costs the county $260,000. It | | | | place by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. |
| estimated that Michigan drop-outs stand to lose over | | | | And in another racially heated move, the US Supreme |
| $11 billion in total lifetime income by foregoing the | | | | Court recalled the Brown case that had allowed the |
| diploma. The reasons are clear. | | | | use of race as a factor to determine school |
| Whether you look at the Detroit Schools, or any | | | | attendance, and to attempt to integrate schools. This |
| other district, the patterns are the same. High School | | | | is a touchy subject for Detroit Schools, since the |
| graduates make more money, live longer lives, have | | | | 1974 Milliken v. Bradley decision that said |
| healthier and better educated children, are less likely | | | | desegregation cannot be enforced across district |
| to become teen parents, are less likely to commit | | | | lines. Many residents of Detroit Schools still view that |
| crimes, and are less like to rely on government social | | | | decision as a factor in the resulting "white flight" that |
| and medical services. The Detroit Schools feel the | | | | has left Detroit Schools a divided and failing district. |
| impact of these costs on its high welfare rolls and | | | | |