Bakersfield has worst U.S. dropout rate

More than 16 percent of Bakersfield people over the age of 18 do not have high school diplomas.

That's according to a new study by online publication "The Daily Beast".

The ranking compares Bakersfield to other cities with populations of 500,000 people or more.

"I have an 8-year-old that I'm already telling he's going to go to college," said Rosie Kidwell.

She grew up watching her parents struggle in the fields, and has seen how lack of education affects the quality of life.

Kidwell knows the challenges her child faces to avoid becoming a statistic, and she isn't surprised by the findings of the study.

"The Daily Beast" analyzed the 2008 Census data.
 
Their research put Bakersfield at the top of the nation's list for producing high school drop outs.

The Cal State Bakersfield Dean of the School Business and Public Administration believes it's a regional issue.

"The whole Central Valley is a large agricultural segment," said Professor John Emery on Monday. "This is temporary work, we have high unemployment rates we have a low per capita income."

Three other cities in California made the top ten list.

Stockton ranked fourth worst, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario followed at fifth, and Fresno came in at ninth.

Kidwell believes people who drop out are more worried about work and their immediate needs than their future.

"I tell my daughter, 'That's the only way that you're going to get anywhere,'" she said. "And with the economy right now, you need to stay in school."

Dawn Kerwitz has an 11-year-old son, and she keeps him on a strict schedule when it comes to homework.

"To me, school is absolutely one of the most important things for a child," Kerwitz said.

Educators say parents like Kerwitz and Kidwell are the best prevention against the numbers.

Children need role models who instill the importance of education.

"He's really good about getting in there and doing his homework,"  she said.  "He knows that that's his job, he has to do it."

There are prevention programs in place in Bakersfield.

The East Bakersfield High School has been recognized as a "Shining Star" model school for its dropout prevention program with the California Department of Education.