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October 2009
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When I first heard that the Seattle School District was considering the possibility of lowering the standards to obtain a diploma I was livid. Last night the Seattle School Board heard a proposal from Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson recommending that a "D" average be good enough to earn a diploma. I couldn't believe it. What were administrators thinking? Then I looked beyond the headline and did some digging. Grades make up only a portion of the requirements to graduate in Washington State. According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction students have to accumulate a minimum of 19-credits of high school course work - in specific classes. What grade they get that allows them to achieve that credit is up to the school district. 4 Comments |
It seems that the individual whom wrote this article was justifying that having a "D"average for retention in high scholl is okay. "Well, its' not"... One would have to be delusional to give this idea any lead way.
As a mother of three teenagers, my Husband, and I educate our kids beyond the classroom. We teach them to challenge themselves, never settle for average, and excel beyond what is expected. Nothing in life is EVER given to you, and if it is, "to whom much is given, much is expectred".
1. How will these kids fair in life, compared to those all over the nation?
2. College education is a necessary...
3. What college is willing to let a kid who's below average, come in and waste their time.
4. This bill doessn't educate the kid, it only says that it's okay to be ignorant.
5. The person whose wrote this bill, only accounts for the loss of $9000 dollars that they are losing...
6. What about the time in class being loss, because of the child who choose not to apply themself?
This is a selfish act, that only set the children in this state further behind.
Nia - It is a scary proposition to read that you are helping to educate your children. Your post is filled with spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.
Not every child is destined for college, nor will every child who chooses to go to college succeed. Many respected professions do not require a college education. I'm betting the mechanic who works on your car has not been to a traditional four-year collge, or perhaps not even to a trade school, but you respect that person's skills and abilities.
The children who are graduating with a D average can very well turn out to be upstanding citizens who provide needed services. College education is not a "necessary" for everyone.
Nia, they are great, the values that you are fostering in your children. Our country needs more parents like you: parents who value their education and encourage them to set high goals for themselves. Your children are the ones who will earn college degrees and excel in engineering, medicine, or another equally respectable and challenging field.
But what about those 40% who drop out, can we do nothing to help them? If they do not have the motivation to succeed and their parents are not educated enough to provide them with this motivation, can we do nothing to at least give them a chance to go to college, or even graduate from high school?
What is a high school diploma, anyway? To those who pursue a college education, a high school diploma is a purely ceremonial thing, the graduation is a memorable event, but nothing else; to those going into a competitive university a diploma isn't even enough: grades and extracurriculars are the more important. I, for once, am a junior at a competitive college in very good standing and two years ahead of my year, yet do not have a high school diploma (this is possible because of a program in my college). To me, a high school diploma means nothing; a college education (and beyond) is everything.
But to someone who does not seek a college education, and there still are quite a few who don't, a high school diploma is the biggest deception. Because compensation with a high school diploma is not much higher than without. That is, a dropout may earn as much as one with a diploma. Still, a diploma feels like a gateway to success, a chance to do something with one's life. I know this because I have studied sociology of education and read a number of books on the subject.
So, if there is no difference, what value is a high school diploma? What does it matter if standards are lowered, except that it will give more students a chance for something that they strive for. But your college-bound students, Nia, will not notice: higher are their goals for themselves.
Look Around.....Is it really education? All parents need to be PARENTS !!!!!! Educate, Love, Discipline, Encourage, SAY NO !!! Guess what it is your JOB !!!!! I have watched our youth just fall apart and it isn't a big secret why.....Look in the mirror Parents. Sometimes I feel like parents have been the ones who have let the kids down. It is YOUR STANDARDS YOU NEED TO TEACH YOUR KIDS !!!!!! If you are doing your job your kids will too. P.S. We need to stop thinking it is all up to the schools to educate our kids....it is only but a tool to help us!
I know, I know, I know...we are too busy to take on that big responsibility of being REAL parents.
I do find it interesting that standards are being lowered they are already so low why bother sending kids to school at all? WE always find a excuse WHY are children aren't educated. I didn't have to look very far it isn't Rocket Science. I get sick of hearing all your typical excuses. Although I feel education is very important, I don't believe that success is measured through what degree someone has on the wall. I know many people who live GREAT lives and have never been to college. One more thing I want to add our children look angry and sad. I want everyone to look back 2 weeks in that time how many conversations have you had with your kids, how many times did you say just a minute, how many times did you say I LOVE YOU, GOOD JOB, Have dinner with them. Your answer will surprise you. HMMMMMM still wondering why are kids are screwed up and not educated ?