Fixing High School

Published on April 19, 2005 By philomedy In Misc

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It seems that certain state governments are aiming at making the last half of senior year of high school more productive. I am not so far removed from this stage of my life, so I can see both positives and negatives.

Obviously, the last year of high school is an easy ride for students that have taken care of their graduation requirements, and they wind up ending the year in a haze of parties and official school ceremonies. My time could certainly have been put to better use than sitting in useless electives that I knew I didn't really need. At the same time, it was nice to be able to relax in fun classes which I chose, which I was sitting in because I truly wanted to, not because the state mandated me to. It was nice to be able to finally enjoy my last half-year at high school without having to worry about credits and requirements, to just be able to let myself be without any pressure or stress. It was a reward for actually working for 3.5 years.

At the same time, there are students who don't want to be rewarded, they want to be out. There are people who really don't want to be there anymore, people who want to it to be over and done with. I don't see what good it would do to keep them there if all of their graduation requirements are fulfilled. I wanted to be there to see my friends and keep my social life, but if all of my friends got out, I would be rather compelled to do the same. The argument will be made that we have to keep kids off the street, which I think is the most valid point that can be made to contradict this idea, although I don't think you're going to be going around raising all that much hell if you're the kind of student who finishes school a half-year early. Then again, all high school people can manage to get themselves in trouble.

The proposals to institute college level courses for the final year are intriguing, but I think they should be kept strictly optional. If I can't be legally mandated to go to college after I graduate high school, there is no reason for me to be mandated to take college courses while I am still in high school. It just doesn't make any sense.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Apr 19, 2005

I knew of many people who graduated in 3.5 years. And then my children usually take college level courses their senior year (as electives) anyway.

Me? I did not have the option as the nearest college was 100 miles away, but I still took hard core subjects my senior year. But then I did know of others woud took TA TA TA, and thought they were so smart that they made the deans list.

Well, duh! You skated that last year!

ParaTed2k

on Apr 20, 2005

My senior year was tough, but that was my own fault! To meet the credit requirements of my high school, I had to take a full schedule of classes, plus an early morning class and 3 night classes a week! (and that was after holding myself back in 10th grade!! ) ;~D

In the thick of it, my dad asked me if I felt stupid, I mean all my friends were taking Dr. Guy's "Skating" classes and otherwise enjoying their senior year, while I was busting my butt.

In my normal sarcastic demeanor, I joked back...

"Stupid? I played for 4 years and now I have 1 year to make up for it... They worked their butts off for 3 years, just to enjoy 1 year of play!! ;~D

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It has always bothered me that high school graduates are not qualified for any better jobs than a high school sophomore. To me, secondary ed should be from ages 5-15, after that students should be offered college prep or technical skill classes. It is sad that a High School Diploma means nothing anymore (unless you're an adult that doesn't have one at all).

philomedy

on Apr 20, 2005

And then my children usually take college level courses their senior year (as electives) anyway.

I would have done the same, but most college level courses that were available in my senior year were for math and science, which would have done nothing for my major.

It has always bothered me that high school graduates are not qualified for any better jobs than a high school sophomore. To me, secondary ed should be from ages 5-15, after that students should be offered college prep or technical skill classes. It is sad that a High School Diploma means nothing anymore (unless you're an adult that doesn't have one at all).

They should certainly be offered, but by no means mandated. I know that this is not what you suggested, but I just want to throw that point out there. Also, I think that there needs to be far more encouragement for high school students to get themselves jobs, since that in itself makes you more qualified once you leave high school.

Dr Guy

on Apr 20, 2005

IN this state, students can take a Tech course load that prepares them for jobs not requiring a College degree. They usually have to decide by the 10th grade to go that route however, but it is open to all students.

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