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City school officials let students retake finals, get diploma
The Baltimore Sun ^ | June 26, 2004 | Tanika White

Posted on 06/26/2004 1:00:08 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

In an effort to help more students graduate, Baltimore school officials for the first time this year allowed high school seniors who had technically failed a class to re-take their final exams and earn their diplomas.

The practice, which affected dozens of seniors this spring, has angered some teachers, who say that students are being let off too easily and pushed through the system to inflate graduation rates.

But top-level school officials and some principals defend the practice, saying the system is adopting a new philosophy regarding high standards. Instead of rigid rules that punish students for mistakes or failures, they say, teachers should work with students in every way possible to help them meet the system's standard of achievement.

(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: education; graduation
All must win and all must have prizes.

U.S. public education is a national disgrace.

Teacher's unions and their partners in this crime, the Democratic Party, are destroying America's future.

1 posted on 06/26/2004 1:00:08 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Richardson said she was stunned when she attended the school's graduation ceremony this month and watched seniors she had failed walk across the stage, grinning.

"At least three of my students, I know their grades were changed," Richardson said. "When I attended the graduation ceremony ... I was absolutely astounded that these kids were in the graduation line because I knew for a fact that I hadn't passed them."

Why would any ethical person who cares about kids want to be a teacher, and see the kids they've worked so hard for being cheated like this?

2 posted on 06/26/2004 1:23:33 AM PDT by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: BykrBayb

I agree. Teachers should flee these propaganda factories and move to charter and private schools. I'd rather my life's work be worth something than to cling to job security that keeps the barrel filled with bad apples.


3 posted on 06/26/2004 1:48:51 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: BykrBayb
DeStefano says such a hard-line policy has no place in the city schools, where many students need extra help to meet any standard, especially a high one. "I don't believe in this 'The final is the final is the final,'" he said in an interview. "You can sell a house you buy. You can divorce your wife. You can turn your fireworks in with amnesty. Why are we punitive when it comes to children?"

The soft bigotry of low expectations.

4 posted on 06/26/2004 1:57:20 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Why retake the tests just hand them all diplomas if they make it to 3rd grade make everyone happy.
5 posted on 06/26/2004 2:30:57 AM PDT by bikerman
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To: bikerman

Might as well.


6 posted on 06/26/2004 2:37:03 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: BykrBayb
"At least three of my students, I know their grades were changed," Richardson said. "When I attended the graduation ceremony ... I was absolutely astounded that these kids were in the graduation line because I knew for a fact that I hadn't passed them."

Maybe teachers should learn and/or master the English language???

7 posted on 06/26/2004 2:41:59 AM PDT by Experiment 6-2-6 (Meega, Nala Kweesta!!!! Volunteer and join the elite Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno Mobilnego!!!!!)
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To: Experiment 6-2-6

Grade changing happens anymore just by knowing computer codes. I watched one happen and changed it. It's creating debates in college entrace committee policies.


8 posted on 06/26/2004 4:18:14 AM PDT by combat_boots
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To: bikerman
"Why retake the tests just hand them all diplomas if they make it to 3rd grade make everyone happy."

That and a 12% pay hike along with reduced class size and a few more teacher's aides (oh, and did I say increased benefits?) and a shorter school year.

9 posted on 06/26/2004 11:34:48 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
All must win and all must have prizes.

A brass ring with every ride! I wonder how many NHS inductees really can't spell?

10 posted on 06/26/2004 11:42:34 AM PDT by pageonetoo (Rights, what Rights'. You're kidding, right? This is Amerika!)
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