While children spend many hours at school, their progress will ultimately be determined by what is valued at their homes.
Parents who desired “better” for their children after years of questionable DCS leadership found ways to accommodate by being “upwardly” mobile and moving to county districts. Or they earned enough to afford private schools. What is left is a segment of the population that either a) doesn’t emphasize education or b) doesn’t have the resources to be “upwardly” mobile. The latter may have barriers that prevent a primary focus on education, I.e., the need for teenagers to go to work as soon as they are eligible.
Furthermore, in a city that is large with a significant transient/transplant population, the schools aren’t the hallmark of the community. Dothan doesn’t necessarily beam with school pride and a commitment from most successful families.
While children spend many hours at school, their progress will ultimately be determined by what is valued at their homes.
Parents who desired “better” for their children after years of questionable DCS leadership found ways to accommodate by being “upwardly” mobile and moving to county districts. Or they earned enough to afford private schools. What is left is a segment of the population that either a) doesn’t emphasize education or b) doesn’t have the resources to be “upwardly” mobile. The latter may have barriers that prevent a primary focus on education, I.e., the need for teenagers to go to work as soon as they are eligible.
Furthermore, in a city that is large with a significant transient/transplant population, the schools aren’t the hallmark of the community. Dothan doesn’t necessarily beam with school pride and a commitment from most successful families.