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| Solving the
dropout dilemma |
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spreadsheets to reflect what it will cost them to live in their chosen
lifestyle after graduation, taking into account mortgage payments, taxes, cost of living
changes and projections for such variables as the cost of transportation and schooling.
 Frequently whole classes work without supervision - as they will
be required to do in the outside world - so the teachers are free to put extra time into
study and further course preparation.
Each curriculum is constantly being revised. As a result of
student surveys and requests, Russian, physics, calculus and advanced quality training
have been added.
In the CIP media class, students teach other students. There is no
administrator or teacher in the room. Twenty-five student trainers have assumed
responsibility for training other students in the quality sciences.
Staff training receives top priority. Teachers are
constantly encouraged to internally challenge and justify each and every learning process.
The school has developed two research and development classes, science and technology and
media CIP. These continually experiment with new technologies in equipment and human
relations.
Each teacher has his or her own computer, with training in many
applications. The school has also pioneered multiple uses for multimedia technology such
as laser discs, hypercard applications and presentation software.
Every student receives a "Stats for Success" handbook.
It is used to record homework, weekly plans, organize their time and graph progress. The
entire emphasis is on self-discipline and self-motivation.
And the success ratio? Mt.
Edgecumbe's simple goal is stated boldly: to produce QUALITY individuals. Almost 50
percent of all graduates have entered college and are still there or have graduated - much
higher than the national average. There have been hardly any dropouts. And the school is
confident that all its students will continue to grow and learn.9
Says Competitive Times magazine: "Mt. Edgecumbe's innovative teaching methods
challenge students and draw raves from business leaders."10
Adds Tribus: "I wish I could find the same thirst for learning in the rest of the
country."11
Mt. Edgecumbe is, of course, a boarding school, but its
TQM and CIP-Kaizen principles have lessons for educational systems at every level - and
especially for turning previous "failures" into successes.
Contents Page Preface
Introduction
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