Should High school be compulsory? (tradition, choice, experience, pastor)

[Ori]

Most kids can read and write pretty good by the age they get to high school, although there are always a few who do not care about the traditional subjects and make trouble instead.

Should there be another type of education they could follow, like working on cars for example?

[Lintu]

Actually, a huge percentage of high school graduates are barely literate. It's a joke how few can even write a coherent sentence or much less a paper. Kids should have to go to school through 18 while having the option to do vocational studies in addition to the basic maths and literature and writing. Teens don't have a fully developed frontal lobe and should not be making the choice of whether or not to go to school in this position. Many don't realize how truly important it is.

[Lady Crimson]

Should there be another type of education they could follow, like working on cars for example?

Well, In my country there's a form of education different from highschool, the School of Arts and Jobs...where they teach you carpenting, mecanics (cars) etc. etc....for those kids who do not get good grades at the exams and for those who do not take the exams at all. Although, this school takes another five years instead of four like in normal highschool.

[Ceridwen018]

Most kids can read and write pretty good by the age they get to high school

Oy veh, orichalcum. I hope that you meant, "read and write pretty well" instead of "read and write pretty good." I think that high school should be the minimum requirement. Not to be harsh, but some people are stupid enough with high school. Just imagine what a hindrance to society they would become if they didn't even have that.

[Shadow Wolf]

Lintu and Ceridwen are right. There are far too many high school students that can barely write, or even read the basic English language. I went to HIGH school with several students that had a reading level equvalent to that of a THIRD grader. Basically, a third grader can read what these high school seniors can read.

I feel thier should be a high school entrance exam. Those who score high can cherry pick the majority of classes they take a list of classes for vocational, interest, and other classes that give the student courses in what they need for a career or hobby, such as acting. The students that score low should have to take all the math and english classes, because they need them.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by orichalcum

Most kids can read and write pretty good by the age they get to high school, although there are always a few who do not care about the traditional subjects and make trouble instead...

I'm sorry, but someone has to point this out. This sentence is not only poorly worded, but it is also a run-on. Perhaps this is how it should read:

Most kids can read and write pretty well by the time they reach high school age. Of course, there are always a few who do not car about the traditional subject. They choose to make trouble instead.

I realize that when people are on the internet are less likely to use proper language and sentence structure. Many people use street slang and trendy short-hand such as: 'What up Dawg?', 'C U L8R', or 'Gotta' bounce.' I also realize that each generation introduces new words and colloquialisms into our lexicon, and perhaps it's just my perception, but it seems as if more of today's youth lack the ability the ability to ascertain when to use formal language versus their familiar and substandard dialects.

So, to answer the question in the thread title, ' Should High school be compulsory?', I would say an emphatic YES! I believe most high schools offer 'vocational studies' for students who will not be going to college, but these students really do need to stay in school and finish their basic education in reading, writing, arithmetic, physical sciences, and social sciences. Without math, how is a car mechanic know that even though 7/8" is smaller than 15/16", neither wrench is going to loosen the lug nuts on my Jetta.

[michel]

The number of 'children' leaving school each year with only very basic literary and numeracy skills is increasing each year.


However, it has been recognized here in England that there is a growing shortage of bricklayers, plumbers, mechanics and electricians. The following shows the beginnings of trials at offering school leavers a wider oportunity of learning skills that have not been covered historically. University does not suit everyone.

2002-2003 AQA AWARD FOR COLLEGE/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

BEDFORD COLLEGE
Schools Liaison Team

THE WAY TO WORK

The Planning: Purpose and Process

• Following incorporation in 1992, there was a period of intense competition between the College's local Upper Schools and the College, when almost all previous links declined. In 1996, the College took the strategic decision to reposition itself in the local community and to improve its relationships with a range of external stakeholders.
• A number of local Upper School Headteachers were invited to a working lunch, the main outcome of this meeting being to take forward one project as a pilot. The project chosen was to support the growing number of Year 11 pupils who were becoming disaffected and disengaged with the current school curriculum offer. From this beginning, the Way to Work project was born.
• The initial aims and objectives of the project were established in partnership between school heads and the College's senior management team. Aims:
  • To provide an alternative vocational curriculum for pupils to engage those disenchanted with the current offer
  • To attract a target group of 50 pupils/year over a three year period
• Objectives:
  • To provide individual training programmes tailored to the pupil's needs
  • To provide well-planned vocational work experience in an interesting job role
  • To provide a College-based vocational training course that fully supports and integrates with the work experience
  • To provide the opportunity for learners to gain a nationally recognised qualification
  • To provide guidance from a qualified career advisor
  • To provide a project officer to monitor, provide feedback and give support to pupils
  • To re-establish positive links between the College and the Bedfordshire Schools.

Planning into Practice

• The Way to Work (W2W) scheme was set up to provide an alternative curriculum to Year 11 pupils (and some Year 10s) who had been identified as being at risk of social exclusion. The scheme provided the young people with an alternative to school. The programme offered high levels of individual support, outreach and team building activities.
• The College identified working with schools in its strategic plan and the scheme formed part of its operational plan. A structure was established within the College and roles and responsibilities were clearly identified. A 14-16 working group was formed to monitor progress, deal with issues and was chaired by the Principal.
• A full-time project officer was designated to the programme. His role included marketing the programme to school staff, pupils, parents and other agencies, recruitment, setting up individual programmes including work placements and College courses, pastoral support, progress monitoring and organising appropriate enrichment activities.
• In addition, an administrator was recruited to support the project officer, a senior academic manager co-ordinated cross-College responsibility for supporting the development of 14-16 education and a schools liaison manager provided a clear and central point of contact for schools as well as developing links with schools and related agencies.

http://www.aoc.co.uk/Members/beacon_awards/profile01

[Watcher]

Well, as a High Schooler let me tell you what....only a handful of people in every grade can write coherantly. As for reading, few are at their grade level.
I edit my school paper, and I have Juniors that can't write a short article that won't need edited at least 3 times do to grammatical and spelling errors, as well as just poor writing quality. Public speaking was torture last year listening to my peers try to read through their papers aloud.
Maybe if these things were caught at a younger age it wouldn't be that big of a problem. But unfortunatly, too many kids slip through the cracks (ok...trenches) of the education system.

[Shadow Wolf]

Public speaking was torture last year listening to my peers try to read through their papers aloud. Maybe if these things were caught at a younger age it wouldn't be that big of a problem.

I think its sad to hear highschoolers read alot like thier just learning to.