Comments by Michele Nokleby Most recent public comments by Michele Nokleby https://nowcomment.com/users/13897 White privilege and/or familial expectations and support almost certainly have EVERYTHING to do with whether or not a High School dropout is able to successfully pursue higher ed. https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=334578 https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=334578 Ms Soinit and I cannot make the mistake of congratulating ourselves on our tenacity or educational success without an acknowledgement of the advantages we both had. My parents both had advanced degrees. I knew from the time I could walk that I would too. My ill-fated HS career was just a "hiccup". I am very, very lucky. Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:46:16 -0400 Many of these extra curricular activities are the ONLY things that keep kids in school. For my son, it was band and orchestra that kept him engaged. For other people, drama or athletics may have served a similar role https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332584 https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332584 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:43:32 -0400 In my university career, I came to realize that I had some gaps in my educational background, particularly in American government. I was able to quickly and easily remediate myself. Otherwise, I was college-ready in 8th grade. https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332583 https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332583 My easy transition into post-secondary education doesn't speak well for compulsory high school attendance. In all fairness, I realize that I had unusually strong literary skills. Sun, 16 Jul 2023 16:47:50 -0400 Students in my district are fortunate to have an alternative high school as an option. The students and the teachers there are very close and the culture is supportive and accepting. I wish this school had existed when I was a teen! https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332582 https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332582 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:21:11 -0400 My school was a k-8 building, which reduced the misery of the junior high experience. Nonetheless, grades 6-7-8 were fairly toxic anyway. https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332581 https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332581 Sun, 16 Jul 2023 16:47:50 -0400 I didn't attend high school either. After a rough few months at the beginning of the year, I dropped out and began my adult life. As soon as I was able, I got my GED. https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332580 https://nowcomment.com/documents/33426?scroll_to=332580 Unlike the author, I am not particularly proud of my inability to function in high school. Generally, I NEVER volunteer this information. I would hate to inadvertently give young people the idea that dropping out of high school is preferable to graduating, (although in my particular case it was). For most people, dropping out will portend a lifetime of low earnings, unhappiness, and even ill-health. Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:13:57 -0400