POPLARVILLE —
Do you remember the third grade? For many of us who do, it was probably a time of fun and child's play. Never did we realize the importance of the things that we were learning. We learned the multiplication tables and basic division. We studied basic science, along with our climate and the weather; rain clouds, temperature, and about atmospheric phenomena such as hurricanes. But most importantly, students learn reading comprehension. Not that reading was not studied in prior years, but really understanding what is being read instead of just sounding out words.
Young elementary aged students (then or now) most certainly do not comprehend the paramount importance associated with reading and comprehension. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress children who cannot read at level by the end of the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. This is a bit counter intuitive. As society typically terms those that do not complete high school as “high school dropouts.”
However, students without literacy skills have dropped out long before they enter high school. If a student cannot read to level by the fourth grade, then their chances of falling into that dropout category increase dramatically; not to mention the resources that are drained from middle schools and high schools in dealing with students in need of remediation.
Systematically, what happens to a community, county, state or country that has a high percentage of high school dropouts? Well, here are some important facts taken from www.americangraduate.org (http://www.americangraduate.org/learn/research-center/ get-the-facts.html) to think about when considering a third grade child that cannot read.
1. Dropouts are more likely to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease (35% of all deaths), cancer (27% of all deaths), infection (9% of all deaths), injury (5% of all deaths), lung disease (5% of all deaths), and diabetes (4% of all deaths).
2. Dropouts are up to six times more likely than high school graduates to report ever having been arrested. A 10-percentage point increase in high school graduation would reduce arrest rates for murder and assault by 20 percent, car theft by 13 percent, and rape by 10 percent.
3. High school dropouts are unqualified to serve in the armed forces and many potential recruits do not know enough math, science and English to perform well on the mandatory Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
Excuse the jargon, but it is mind boggling to understand the importance of the third grade.
Mississippi Senator Angela Burks Hill, Representative Rita Martinson, Senate Education Committee Chair Gray Tollison and House Education Committee Chair John Moore have worked together to craft a bill that strives to build a system that ensures a student’s reading skills are up to level before progressing to the fourth grade. As good researchers do, this team has reached out to other states that have improved literacy levels.
In this case the Senate and House team have bench-marked legislation with the state of Florida. Florida created legislation that has moved the percentage of third graders performing at the lowest reading levels from 27% of all third graders in 2002, to 18% of all third graders in 2012. Imagine what this improvement will do for Florida’s economy in years to come. Many of these students will earn an education that will lead them towards a fruitful career; instead of falling into some of the poor statistical categories mentioned above.
In effect, the Mississippi bill places into effect screening to ensure that a student is at level while traversing from kindergarten through third grades. Those that are not to level, upon notification to the parent or guardian, will receive support services and tutoring. If a student is not to level by the end of third grade, then the student cannot be promoted to the fourth grade. The future implications are too big to ignore. Let’s hope that this legislation creates a system that will create more educated Mississippians that are ready to infiltrate our economy and develop a higher standard of living. After all, the consequences are too high; we must invest in our children.
Business
Consequences to not investing in our children
- Business
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- Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing Program available at PRCC Some students possess the maturity level and academic wherewithal to begin studying toward a fruitful career path while still in high school. It is no secret that many earn most of the necessary credits towards a high school diploma by the completion of the junior year of school; thus, requiring the student to attend high school for part of the school day during their senior year. Many students have jobs or extracurricular school activities, such as band or athletics, to help round out the day. However, those not in falling into these categories often ended up with a lot of free time; fortunately policy makers in Mississippi are finding ways to assist these students.
- Senators Burks Hill and Smith along with Representative Frierson panelists for Chamber Business Review The Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Review for the business community, at Char Southern Steakhouse, Monday at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included State Senator District 40 Angela Burks Hill, State Senator District 47 Tony Smith, and State Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville. All are Republican. They spoke on the past session and bills they either authored or helped pass which impact local and state businesses.
- Investing in the community one building at a time There is a bit of a renaissance occurring in Pearl River County. This is happening one building at a time. It seems to be happening rather quietly, but the end results are going to help shape the future of the county and the cities located here.
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Medical Group gives back to community
, Children’s International Medical Group is proud to announce the opening of their pediatric clinic in Picayune.
The clinic is one of many throughout La. and Miss. which brings compassionate care centered around pediatric patients and the community in which they live.
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Charter Bank names Westfall as VP
Charter Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Rich Westfall as vice president of business development and marketing. His responsibilities will be to lead business and community development and oversee all marketing efforts for the bank.
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Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US stocks
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Thursday after Oracle’s weak sales results weighed down big U.S. technology companies. Traders also worried about Cyprus running out of time to avoid bankruptcy.
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Mississippi REALTORS® hold annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
On Feb.7, 2013 Pearl River County REALTORS® joined more than 120 Mississippi REALTORS® at the Mississippi State Capitol to take part in REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
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More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing. -
HORNE LLP welcomes Picayune native as spring accounting intern
HORNE LLP, one of the top accounting and business advisory firms in the nation, recently welcomed Melissa Pigott of Picayune, Miss., as a spring accounting intern. A total of 26 accounting students were selected for the highly competitive internship program.
Pigott is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and is completing her internship in assurance services in the Ridgeland, Miss., office location. -
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 1
By Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
The Senate Education Committee passed Bill 2141 recently. The bill is championed by local Senator Tony Smith. While the bill would not affect Pearl River Central Schools, it would change the Picayune and Poplarville School Districts from a mix of appointed and elected board members, to all elected. An amendment was put in the bill to require board members to have at least one year of college. - More Business Headlines
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