I was kind of intrigued by the article about Boston schools not allowing kids to graduate without college plans. I can see how this would be a good idea, especially since there seem to be plans to help kids make up their minds a little sooner. And in our world today it is almost entirely necessary to have at least two years of college if you want a decent enough job to earn a living with. And yet, the pessimistic side of me can’t help but think that not allowing kids to graduate without plans for college, especially in city schools, might increase the number of dropouts. But maybe I’m completely wrong about that, and even if there is a slight increase in the dropout rate, if other students are better prepared for their continuing education and career path selection then perhaps it is worth it.
4 comments:
Towards the end of high school it seems kids are really pushed, maybe too hard, to set future goals for themselves like attending college. Even though it's important to have some kind of plan, I don't think it's right to punish students that aren't positive they will attend college. Afterall, not everyone is ready for college after highschool, but maybe someday they will be. This policy is severe because it produces many limitations for young people just graduating.
I read this article too when it first came out. It was definitely interesting, however I can not say that I agree with the system. I do however agree with Steevi. Students are pushed almost too hard by the end of their high school days. My thoughts turn to the military aspect, being that many of my friends and a few family members enlisted right out of high school. Forcing students to have these plans right out of high school does not allow for them to serve their country first. Many can not afford such plans right after high school, and others just do not have the desire to continue their education so soon after graduation
I think this is entirely wrong. It's saying "the 12 years of school you've just completed don't mean anything, we will still hold you back from graduating." It's bad enough students have to deal with a majority of unsatisfactory teachers and waking up at 6 in the morning for 12 years, but then to tell them that because of their personal plans for the future everything they just did was for nothing...it's just completely out of line. If the dropout rate increased slightly or at all, thats too much. Yes, it's harder to get by with out a college diploma but what about kids who can't afford to go? or maybe they have other plans. Either way, it's no ones business but theirs.
As much as I would like to disagree with this plan, I cannot. Initially, it probably will cause an increase in drop out rates. The fact remains that logistically this makes sense. High school offers nothing in terms of preparedness for students today. Sometimes four years of college isn't enough. Everyone, and their mothers included, has a bachelors. Schools need to rethink the way they motivate students; this may not be the best way but it is a way non the less.
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