Journal 5

          Statistics are always interesting to observe.  While the numbers definitely indicate certain things and can help explain things, there are often other questions that statistics lead to.  The USI graduation statistics show a clear decrease in a classes original members as the class progresses.  It also shows how the percent of remaining/graduating students changes over the years.  While this information is important, it also helps to know the cause of the seemingly consistent decrease in class size.  Since the numbers do not reveal this, the cause must be gleaned through other sources.  One cause for this decrease, as we mentioned in class, is that USI is seen as a fallback school and a midway or transition school.  Meaning that many people come here with the idea that they are going to leave for a (in their minds) better school.  Another reason is the less than rigorous admissions process.  With lower admissions criteria, it is easy for an unmotivated student to get into USI, but not so easy for them to succeed here.  Regardless of cause, the numbers clearly show the decline in class size from beginning to end, but also show a slowly growing graduation percentage.
          As I have yet to finish the book, I am not entirely sure the connection between our graduation rate discussion and the theme of education.  Obviously, Malala believes in everyone right to education.  This belief was instilled in her by her father, who believed in the use of words rather than violence.  I think that education is so important to them because they must fight for it.  Many of us take for granted how "easy" it is to get an education in the US.  By taking it for granted, we've lost sight on what is important in a school setting: learning.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in the social aspects of certain schools and prestige, that we forget how great it is we have these massive communities to learn in.  Also in I am Malala, she talks about the movement against women in schools and how they deserve an education.  This can translate to our culture too.  However, rather than women, it is the impoverished that can't attend school.  Looking at the graduation rates, it is easily possible that some of the people that leave USI leave because they can longer pay for it.  This is truly a shame.  Intelligent and hardworking people, full of potential, come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and education, even university level, should be easily accessible to them.  Finally, perhaps it is that attitude of students here vs. Malala's.  If the attitude of students here was as education oriented as Malala's, would the rates be higher?