At 5.8%, Torrance Dropout Rate Is Among Nation’s Lowest

THE LOWER THE BETTER: Less than 6% of Torrance students drop out of high school--the ninth lowest dropout rate in the country--according to a National Center for Educational Statistics report.

The report, based on 1990 census data comparing the dropout rates of the 250 largest cities in the country, rated Torrance at 5.8%.

“Our administration has been aggressive about tracking students and noting those that might be at risk,” said David Sargent, trustee for the Torrance Unified School District. “We are working with them to show them we care and want them to stay in school.”

Another reason for the low rate is an improved bookkeeping system, Sargent said, which enables the district to keep better track of students who move out of the district. In the past, if students moved and did not request a transcript, they were counted as dropouts.

Irvine topped the list with the lowest dropout rate in the country--2.8%, and neighboring Santa Ana registered the highest at 36.7%. Thousand Oaks, with a 5.2% dropout rate, was the only other California city in the top 10.

Richard Ducar, administrator for special services for the Torrance school district, said Torrance students are motivated because parents and the community have high expectations of them and are involved in their education.

In addition, he said the district had about 20 dropout prevention programs ranging from counseling to a program for pregnant minors.

“We know we’ve had good programs so we weren’t really surprised,” Ducar said.

YOUNG SCHOLARS: Six South Bay high school students began a yearlong scientific research program at USC last week.

The latest class of 50 students is part of the National Science Foundation’s “Young Scholars Program,” which is aimed at identifying and encouraging scientific talent.

Anjali Iyer and Niloufar Tabatabaei of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, DeAngelo Bates of Inglewood High School, Maria Vargas of Morningside High School in Inglewood, Catherine Chan of Torrance High School and Jose Aguiar of the California Academy of Math and Science in Carson were among the 50 students selected from 197 applicants.

The program is designed to guide the students in scientific research in professionally equipped laboratories under the supervision of college-level mentors, said Hans Bozler, Ph.D., chairman of the USC physics department and project co-director.

“The idea is to try to get students to have a better understanding of what scientific research is all about. Our thinking is that many will eventually seek careers in scientific research,” Bozler said.

The youths will conceive and carry through projects at college campuses or museums in their own communities, each working on a regular basis with a volunteer college professor.

They will receive stipends of $600 each and are required to make a nine-month commitment to spend at least eight hours per week in the laboratory. They will also participate in weekend meetings on university campuses where they will learn about research methodology, scientific ethics, scientific writing and the rewards of careers in science.

The program will culminate with the students presenting their research findings at a two-day meeting of the Southern California Academy of Sciences in June.

Selection for the program was based on a minimum B average for all science courses, recommendations from science teachers, a two-page essay on any scientific topic and an interview with the selection committee.

SPARE ME THE MATH: Elementary schools in the Hawthorne have a new physical education program designed to introduce children to the world of bowling . . . and to improve their math skills.

“In the beginning it was just a fun activity,” said Judy Hunter, school improvement teacher at Zela Davis Elementary School. “As we go into it more we’re using it as a learning tool.”

Sandra Goodson, principal at Washington Elementary School, said the bowling program has promoted teamwork and integrated the curriculum.

According to Goodson, in addition to developing coordination, simply learning how to score the game with spares and strikes is a math exercise.

Active West Inc. supplied the plastic regulation-size bowling pins and four-pound balls to the school district at no cost. The Southland-based company also provided a manual with bowling instructions, lesson plans and bowling-related word problems.

Assistant Supt. Kenneth Blake approved the bowling program for the schools to give students “a taste of another activity,” he said.

“(Bowling) is an activity I didn’t think much about, but it has picked up momentum in the schools,” Blake said. “There’s more to it than meets the eye.”

NEW FACE ON CAMPUS: Sue MacLean has been named principal of Edison Elementary School in Torrance. The former vice principal of Hickory Elementary School, MacLean replaced Grant Logan, who retired after serving as principal at Edison for four years. Logan had been with the district for more than 30 years.

Items for the weekly Class Notes column can be mailed to The Times South Bay office, 23133 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 200, Torrance 90505, or faxed to staff reporter Lorna Fernandes at (310) 373-5753 .

Dropout Rates From Selected Communities

Irvine: 2.1

Thousand Oaks: 5.2

Torrance: 5.8

Burbank: 9.1

Simi Valley: 9.2

Santa Clarita: 9.9

Glendale: 10.2

Huntington Beach: 10.9

Downey: 12.3

Fullerton: 14.3

Pasadena: 16.6

Inglewood: 17.3

Lancaster: 17.4

Long Beach: 18.9

Norwalk: 19.9

Los Angeles: 21.9

East L.A.: 23.5

Compton: 24.0

Santa Ana: 36.7

Figures are for ages 16 through 19.

(Source: 1990 Census Data)