Proposal for the Free Republic High School Diploma.

Free Republic ^ | 1/8/05 | Kevin O'Malley

[Kevin OMalley]

We have been discussing inexpensive ways to fast track kids through high school to avoid the liberal agenda:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315730/posts?page=84#84

The thread title was not well thought out, because some parents might instinctively skip over it due to attached stigma, whether real or imagined.

[Kevin OMalley]

Join us in the discussion.

[Kevin OMalley]

Here's the link.




http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315730/posts?page=84#84

[streetrepair]

Innovative idea, but for me personally this is a tough call. Expecting mass sums of children to scoot off to college at the tender age of 14 could deprive them of my own similar fond memories of four years of high school, i.e., the girls, sports, and ESPECIALLY debating my liberal journalism teacher, to the point where he turned red in the face, speechless, after losing an argument, embarrassed, as the rest of the students laughed and looked on. That was but one priceless moment I'll never forget.

[dawn53]

Just think, instead you could've been debating your liberal Comp I teacher in college, LOL!

My son started full time in our local college at 15. He's 16 now and about to finish his 2nd year with enough credits for an AA, but he's going to continue in the program for another year...what would be his senior year in high school.

The main problem I've found with this (other than having to drive him back and forth to the campus the first year because he wasn't old enough for a driver's license yet) is that my 16 year old doesn't really have a clue about what he'd like to major in.

That's why we're staying in the dual enrollment program for another year. At 16 his ambitions consist of being a professional rock climber or a whitewater rafting guide, LOL.

But he seems to have a propensity for math and science, so once he'd met his general reqs. we just kept building on that, taking each subsequent math course and science course.

If he gets to the point where he doesn't understand the math or can't comprehend the science, that's okay, we'll change directions, but in the meantime, we're following that course.

He's going to read a book on the different Engineering professions, right now he's more inclined toward Chemistry than the other sciences, so we'll see.

Of course, we've told him once he has a degree, if he still wants to be a whitewater rafting guide, and it's okay with his wife (when he's married) if he makes only $15,000 a year, then it's okay with us, LOL!

[GSlob]

To fast track a kid through an high school equivalent (not too difficult, given the dumbing down of the curriculum) and preferably to give the child more, one would have to start with the basic realization that one is talking about a school program for gifted (and even extremely gifted) children.
If the program is to be organized beyond home schooling by a single family, one would immediately be faced with the pupil selection - if you admit only the kids with IQ 150 and higher, you will have to turn away a kid with IQ 149 (and his/her parents with ACLU lawyers).
Thus the proposed program would have to be private (to keep PC out), tuition-free (so that it could - as it should - discriminate. Paying customer has rights; recipient of largesse does not) - and thus will have to cost a bundle.

[Kevin OMalley]

Don't forget the drugs, PC policies like being escorted to the bathroom or not being able to wear red/white/&blue, race riots, violence, asinine social interactions, etc.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

At 16 his ambitions consist of being a professional rock climber or a whitewater rafting guide,

Well rock climbers don't make a lot but whitewater rafting guides can rake in the moola.

[Kevin OMalley]

"The main problem I've found with this... is that my 16 year old doesn't really have a clue about what he'd like to major in..."

***But the main point is that a 16 year old with as many college credits as your son has acquired would be better positioned in society than the average 16 year old. And when he turns 18, even better.

[Kevin OMalley]

Actually, anyone who wants to can sign up to take the GED, and it would be no different for someone signing up for the FR HS diploma. Whoever passes gets to go on to college. Not nearly as complicated as you've made it out to be.

[sam_paine]

But had I not gone to high school, I'd have never learned how to tap a keg for college.

[dawn53]

Well rock climbers don't make a lot but whitewater rafting guides can rake in the moola

Thanks for the info, didn't know that.

Don't think I'll pass on the info to the kid until he has a degree, LOL!

[GSlob]

I was talking about the ability to absorb high school curriculum on highly accelerated schedule. To do that, one needs some mental equipment. To receive way more in allotted time (there were special schools in Russia in 60's, where (IQ) selected children were studying topology and multidimensional geometry at tender ages of 13-14) takes that same equipment. It is from this stuff 14 year old college students are made.
Yes, it is doable (I witnessed it myself), but only with selected pupils; and it takes a highly concentrated effort to do it.

[Kevin OMalley]

I think it's doable by any kid who sets his mind to it. Even by the ones in the middle of the bell curve of aptitude.

In my current school district, the high school sent out some kind of circular which mentioned that 90% of the kids had passed the exit exam requirements WHEN THEY WERE FRESHMEN. That tells me that 90% of those kids are wasting their time. The only thing they'd be missing by taking advantage of such a program is some physical harrassment, useless peer pressure, and PC policies.

[Ellesu]

This kind of off-topic but as I read this thread, I thought about this article.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/douggiles/dg20050108.shtml

[Mark was here]

Say a 8th grader can pass the GED, he doesn't have to go to high school now. Taxpayers would of spent an easy $28,000 (7000 x 4 years) educating the poor lad.

How about paying any kid who can pass the GED early a bonus to get out of school early, saving taxpayers big bucks.

I would think $4000 a fair amount.

Of course non-government educated kids would also be able for the bonus payments. They should not be denied their right to a government education.

[Kevin OMalley]

I love it.

One problem I have with your statement, though: Taxpayers would [have] spent an easy $28,000 INDOCTRINATING and BABYSITTING the poor lad.

[GSlob]

There is a verse by Igor Guberman, I took the liberty to translate it verbatim (please take me at my word that it IS a verse in the language of the original). I'd say it is pertinent to the topic.
Environment and chance are strong and weighty,
And still genetics trumps it all:
For no matter how much one tortures them with education,
Still barrels do not give birth to Diogeneses...
Renaissance thinker Francesco Guicciardini, too, observed that "Learning inflicted upon weak minds does not improve them, and is frequently ruinous".

[Kevin OMalley]

Good article. Very sad how today's kids feel they need to drop f-bombs everywhere.

As another off-topic aside, I was looking to link to an article on FR that was about some family suing the education administrators because their kid was so bright but couldn't afford to go to high school. One of the phrases in the article that I thought was interesting was the growing viewpoint (probably invalid) that sees access to education as a right which follows you, or something like that.

[Kevin OMalley]

couldn't afford to go to COLLEGE.

oops.

The kid had already completed his high school requirements by the age of 13 or so.

[streetrepair]

"Just think, instead you could've been debating your liberal Comp I teacher in college, LOL!"

That's too funny being that my best friend is a Comp. I teacher and I am debating him all the time already! I wish your son the best of luck -- he sure sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders (as well as wonderful parents!).

[combat_boots]

Don't forget the dumbing down of college courses, too.............

[Kevin OMalley]

And at least he's a rock climber with a college degree. He would have a better chance of being hired as a rock climber guide than the next guy over who just has his HS diploma.

[WVNan]

we've told him once he has a degree, if he still wants to be a whitewater rafting guide, and it's okay with his wife (when he's married) if he makes only $15,000 a year, then it's okay with us, LOL!

On the other hand he could move to WV and set up his own whitewater rafting company and make a fortune.

[dawn53]

That would make him happy (maybe we should see he gets his MBA on top of his regular degree, LOL)...in his opinion, best rafting is in WV (can't remember the name of the river, starts with a G), he says it's better than the Chatooga or Ocoee.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Professional rock climbers need degrees?

In Geology or Physics?

[Kevin OMalley]

In Geology or Physics?

Art History. Poli Sci. Humanities. Basket weaving.

Take your pick.

[Kevin OMalley]

This is in a Free Republic thread.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1316944/posts#comment?q=1

[Smokin' Joe]

If he enjoys the outdoors, and is good in math and science, point him toward Geology or geological engineering. He may have a passion lurking there.

[Smokin' Joe]

Here, they do not allow kids to drop out and take the GED. They are not permitted to take the test until their class would have graduated. THat stinks.

[dawn53]

Thanks for the info.

[Smokin' Joe]

Whitewater, rock climbing, (spelunking), Hmmmmm sounded familliar. Whatever he choses, I hope he loves it. Enjoying your job is worth a lot.

[Ellesu]

Yes, I saw it posted later. Thanks.

[Kevin OMalley]

Here, they do not allow kids to drop out and take the GED. They are not permitted to take the test until their class would have graduated. THat stinks.
***I agree. The problem is that the few parents who would like it changed in each district do not have the critical mass to effect the change. That's one reason why I think FR might be the right vehicle for such an agent of change.

[Kevin OMalley]

Bill Gates has declared American high schools "obsolete."





Public education isn't preparing teens

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1367344/posts?page=22#22



The Washington Times ^ | 3-21-05 | Michael Smith


Posted on 03/21/2005 11:12:45 AM PST by JZelle


Bill Gates has declared American high schools "obsolete." In a Feb. 26 speech to the National Education Summit on High Schools, he said "our high schools — even when they're working exactly as designed — cannot teach our kids what they need to know today." These criticisms are not new, but the fact that America's most successful businessman is concerned about how America will survive in a world that requires educated workers should cause people to take notice. Mr. Gates went on to say he was "terrified for our work force of tomorrow."


(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050320-092252-1935r.htm

[Kevmo]

NEA's Plan for Reducing School Dropouts/ Slavery for 18 to 21 year olds

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1759212/posts?page=191

Interesting thread.