TALLENT CITES PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL DROPOUTS

A problem in Cape Girardeau public schools is "at-risk students" who may drop out.

"This is one area that we will be looking at," said Dr. Dan Tallent, who will become superintendent of Cape Girardeau schools July 1.

Tallent told a group of businessmen and businesswomen 120 to 130 students drop out of Central High School each year.

"This affects business and industry," said Tallent, who was guest speaker at the West End Merchants Association meeting at H.R. Dumplins' Tuesday night. Dropouts lose a lot of their employment potentials."

Although an alternative education center has been established to help students finish high school, "we have to try to identify the at-risk students at lower grades and work with them. We are doing that now." said Tallent.

The Central dropout problem from freshman through senior years ranges from 10 to 14 percent. Although this is far below the 40 percent dropout rate of some Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan school districts, it is still above the state average of 5 percent.

Tallent told the group that he sees his role as working with the school board, parents and the community.

"We want to improve communications and obtain community trust," he said. "We want public and student involvement on programs and projects."

The school is involved in developing a "school report card" for the public, which will include a look at test data, programs and other key issues.

A good school is the key to the community, said Tallent. "We have to take a critical look at what we have, compare it with what we want and where we want to go."

The school board is in the process of doing this with its Vision Planning Committee, which has collected public input on issues of importance to the community.

The board will develop long-range programs.

"I feel that the community will support these long-range plans," said Tallent. The plans include educational programs to be offered, facilities planning and long-range financing.

Central is looking at a number of options concerning career education.

"We'll be looking at the possibility of forming a partnership with the university and businesses to provide career education," said Tallent.

Tallent discussed briefly a 3-plus-1 program where students who compile 21 credits the first three years in high school can receive college credits during the senior year. "A student could finish the freshman year of college."

Tallent urged businesses to get involved in education.

"If we're doing something right, support and help us," he said. "If we're not doing things right, tell us what is needed to improve."

"I'm excited about my new position," said Tallent. "I think we're ready to move ahead."

Tallent, who will continue to serve as high school principal at Central until he assumes his new position, has been in education 26 years. He served as instruction supervisor with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education seven years, working with program accreditation in 63 school districts in Southeast Missouri.