Johns Hopkins researcher Robert Balfanz used a flawed method and a loaded epithet. I'm happy the schools unfairly branded have been expunged due to the efforts of those who care. Another study might consider the dropout rate for head custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers, teachers, assistant principals, principals, and administrators. With a constant flux of staff, the students are nearly as off-balance as the rest of us. And teachers who perhaps should be drop-outs stay in place while administrators expend huge efforts to go after people they don't like. When anyone in the system works hard and effectively, students respond by learning. Administrators should provide an encouraging environment for that to happen. Belfanz's name-calling doesn't help. Using fear of punishment to coerce desired outcomes is a bad method. If you watch anybody closely enough and long enough, you can catch him/her doing something wrong. If your method is to create fear, you can then wreak vengence. It's better to begin with the best that's been thought and written and try to inspire thought--in _every_ student. Even garbage men and janitors need to think--and vote. Let's think about the good effects of cutting the dropout rate for staff. Might good salaries and affirmation help? No fear.