Quote:
Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB
This year's class was the first to be held accountable for passing the WASL, and the vast majority have. The only subjects they had to pass by this year was reading and writing (math isn't until 2013), and there is no testing time limit. Students get many chances over several years to pass it. If they can't pass the minimums of the WASL, particularly reading and writing, they shouldn't graduate. A high school diploma should certify a student has met certain standards of education.
ETA: if we were in some European countries, our kids' entire working lives would be dictated by the results of high school testing. In Germany, for instance, if you don't do well enough on high school exams, you don't get to go to college - you go into the vocational tract instead. University tract is only for the most high-performing kids.
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But the math requirement was shifted later than before and there is huge concern about the schools with huge ethnic groups, namely Latino, Native American and the 1-2 African Americans that attend the top 3 high schools: Cleveland, Garfield and Franklin.
At some point, yes, OUR kids need to meet minimum requirements for a high school diploma. But OUR kids have several OTHER vital programs that many other states do not have--such as the "community service" requirement of 50(?) hours over 4 years and other issues.
Votech for some reason is ruled out. I don't understand that. ALL kids shoulc have vocational/technical training for back-up to at least have a job skills.
The other issue is the Contiguous US is 5000 miles wide compared to smaller countries in Europe. Our per capita is higher than what they have. Very few other countries have similar "diverse" populations as we have in the US. Making the US unique and one of the best places to live and thrive. Yeah, folks say crap to yah, but that does not stop someone from succeeding unless they have committed and convicted a felony... The problem is most of these kids in poor schools have problems leading to felony convictions.
And when you ask some Europeans the real deal--like the US's right to bear arms, they don't have it. Has nothing to do with this discussion. But the problem is you really think a gang-banger was taught proper gun handling technique when he/she got caught with a concealed weapon under 17 years of age???
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