Posted on 12/27/2006 5:59:04 PM PST by wintertime
1) Mandate high school graduation or equivalency as compulsory for everyone below the age of 21. Just as we established compulsory attendance to the age of 16 or 17 in the beginning of the 20th century, it is appropriate and critical to eradicate the idea of "dropping out" before achieving a diploma. To compete in the 21st century, all of our citizens, at minimum, need a high school education.
2) Establish high school graduation centers for students 19-21 years old to provide specialized instruction and counseling to all students in this older age group who would be more effectively addressed in classes apart from younger students. ( Huh?..."graduation center" prisons?)
6)Act early so students do not drop out with high-quality, universal preschool and full-day kindergarten; strong elementary programs that ensure students are doing grade-level work when they enter middle school; and middle school programs that address causes of dropping out that appear in these grades and ensure that students have access to algebra, science, and other courses that serve as the foundation for success in high school and beyond.
12) Make high school graduation a federal priority by calling on Congress and the president to invest $10 billion over the next 10 years to support dropout prevention programs and states who make high school graduation compulsory.
No, it hasn't. Your Chicken-Little hysteria isn't helping your case any.
The NEA did say that all our children should receive high school diplomas, because "To compete in the 21st century, all of our citizens, at minimum, need a high school education."
Do you agree or disagree that a high school diploma will be necessary to compete in the 21st century?
The idea for the graduation centers (which you have described as "prisons") is stated as follows:
Establish high school graduation centers for students 19-21 years old to provide specialized instruction and counseling to all students in this older age group who would be more effectively addressed in classes apart from younger students.
I think it's fairly obvious that having students aged 19-21 in classes with 14-15 year olds might not be such a good idea.
If you'll think for a minute, you might also realize that a 19-21 year old who hasn't been able to graduate (unless they are mentally retarded, in which case they are probably being served elsewhere) might have specific skills gaps which are preventing passing the GED or other tests, and which specialized or individualized instruction, as provided in these centers, could best remedy. (I recall you telling of tutoring a student in math, and being able to help him tremendously?)
Do you think some individualized help might enable some of these students to succeed?
No partnerships.
I speak only based on what I know in my state. Schools can't even apply for grants directly. Each entity has to go begging to the Statewide Systematic Initiative (NJ SSI). That is nothing more than politically corrupt system where the monies are used by Pharmaceutical and Utility programs. The monies are meant for the schools. Partnerships create an entire control and abused system.
Ah, I wanted to add to my post.
Statewide Systematic Initiative (NJ SSI) also spreads that money OUT of our state to universities they 'partner' with in other states.
Therefore, taking away needed grants from our schools.
Do you think there ought to be other options for high school graduation, such as being able to get a certificate or degree from a technical college, or do an apprenticeship at a real job, rather than just an academic high school diploma?
Do you agree or disagree that a high school diploma will be necessary to compete in the 21st century?
I actually miss the vocational classes the public schools use to carry. They have been removed from the schools to create separate technical schools. Those classes use to work as apprenticeship positions.
>>>>The NEA has just proposed mandatory imprisonment of 19 to 21 year olds in its COMPULSORY "graduation centers".
Will the centers be the Lebensborn centers or Dzierzazna & Litzmannstadti extermination canters?
If you'd read the NEA proposal you posted, you'd see that alternatives to the current diploma system comprise point #4 of the proposal:
Expand students' graduation options through creative partnerships with community colleges in career and technical fields and with alternative schools so that students have another way to earn a high school diploma.
Do you agree or disagree?
I agree.
Do you agree or disagree that a high school diploma will be necessary to compete in the 21st century?
I'm popping more popcorn-------LOL!!!
IMO, if the technical schools are post high school, the skills won't be as easy to build upon vs. the skills being taught in high school (or even moved down to start at a Jr. High level).
What flavor? I don't like spicy popcorn too early.
Just extra butter and salt.
If you are sharing the corn, no salt on mine please :)
My high school, way back when I was in school, was actually very cool. We had adjunct classes taught by college professors for the college prep classes and an entire vocational wing complete with a garage for auto shop, wood shop, a hair salon and cooking classes.
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