The New Haven Register today ran a story about the soon-to-be 10th grade graduation in the state. Parents and teachers offered responses to the article. Read both the article and comments. I know I have posted on this topic two times in the last week, but given the reality that this initiative is in our own backyard, let's be knowledgeable and keep current of the dialogue. Read all about it at: State to Test Early Graduation Initiative. And see the other two blog postings from last week that speak to the initiative on both the national and state level. Even consider posting a comment on the New Haven Register page; there is place that invites comments.Logo from New Haven Register, online.
5 comments:
While reading this article I tried to concentrate about what people wrote in about it, I came up with a few intresting points. "Mom of 2" asked the question why are we rushing kids out of school? I felt the same way after reading this article, what is the rush? High school is a learning period, students in high school are between the ages of 14-18. If these kids go to colleges with 18-22 year olds I think it could lead to a big problem with age differences.
I completly agree with "Observer"
Observer: You would miss the experience of high school - the football games, the proms, the social interaction that is so important in maturation.
Beyond that, assume that your 15 year old is mature enough to leave home and go to college. The other students in his classes would be 18 or 19 years old. Are they likely to accept this 15 year old into the group? He would graduate from college at 19 - and do what?? One in a million could handle this. Bad idea
I understand some kids dont enjoy high school but is the next best thing to send them to college? Another issue that I have with this is that I am afraid it will become very competitive in high schools to be part of this program. Students wont enjoy the time at high school because they will be worried about getting into this program.
The topic of 10th grade graduation hits home with me; my 15-year-old daughter is a fully matriculated college student. Our situation was far more complex than one of "rushing high school." My daughter's particular needs were not being met at her high school, and community college was the closest, most affordable option for our family.
I would agree with the posters who express concerns about adolescent development. The transition from high school to college is difficult and frought with challenges. For my daughter, however, these challenges are an improvement from the ones she was facing in high school.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as far as I can tell in parenthood any more than there is in education. I am definitely an advocate for exploring--and carefully weighing the options for each individual circumstance.
I admit my first reaction when reading this article was "are you kidding me?" I have worked very closely with 10th grade students. At this age, students are still so immature, I could not picture the majority of my students functioning at the college level. I feel that socially and emotionally students are still developing at this age. It is imperative for students to be "high school students." Why rush them into the college setting?
On the other side of the issue, I can see how this might benefit some students. I have some students who are truly advanced in all areas, academically and socially. I can see these students benefitting from learning at a college level. However, these students are truly the minority. If we make this initiative the new "trend" in education, it might force students into early graduation when they are not ready. I see so much growth from between my sophomore and senior students. Most students need a few years of high school to really mature, learn how to be a successful student, and how to succeed in our society.
When I first read this article all I could think about was how it seemed like the state was just trying to push students out of high school so that they could save some money. I don't think that a 10th grade graduation for the majority of students is appropriate. There may be very few that this option might be appropriate for. I don't think it would hurt to have the option available, especially if they have to pay for their own test.
Some of the comments on there, especially "Get Real" really got my blood boiling. I don't think the poster was actually thinking about what a crucial time developmentally adolescents is to molding a person's being (mentally, emotionally, and socially).
Early Graduation for students can really hurt them in many ways. This is the time where students learn how to socialize with adults and peers which in turn can be benefical to them in the interviewing process. Having only two years of high school education can make it a difficult transition into college.
Taking a summer course online in short period of time was alot of pressure for me to handle, i can only imagine how a teenager must feel trying to grasp all the materials taught in a two year span.
How can this bebenefical to teenagers? Understanding that many students hate being in the classroom, but this something that they must get accoustomed and used to. Its a part of life, just like working. Giving students all these options dont prepare them for what the real world is like.
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