School Graduation: Rate spells trouble

In a developed, wealthy country such as the U.S., a successful high school education ought to be a given -- a minimum, even.

And in a city such as Seattle, which is one of the most educated, literate cities in the country, one would think that to be doubly the case. Not so. According to a report on the rate of on-time high school graduation in the country, Seattle Public Schools placed seventh-highest, with 67.6 percent of its students earning a high school diploma on time. The question is, why? Not figuring this out spells trouble. Consider that Education Secretary Margaret Spellings told USA Today that "90 percent of our fastest-growing jobs require education or training beyond high school."

It's fitting that the story about our graduation rates appeared on April 1, not because it's a day for and of fools (although one could make that argument), but because Tuesday was also the day that U.S. businesses scramble, apply and hope to snag some H-1B (skilled worker) visas. High-tech businesses, such as Microsoft, have asked for an increase in the visas. Out of desperation, Microsoft finally opened a campus in Vancouver, B.C. (Canada's immigration system is more flexible.) The H-1Bs are currently capped at 65,000 and doled out by lottery. Last year, 123,480 applications were filed in two days. An interview with the CEO and founder of one such company on National Public Radio indicated there aren't enough skilled workers in the U.S. to fill jobs that pay $80,000 to $100,000 a year.

Our current graduation rates are harmful to the future of our youth as well as U.S. businesses.