[pepsionice]

I will offer this observation. Eventually, people will realize that if a kid is allowed to proceed at his own speed and level....he’s pretty attained the education level you’d expect at 18...but at the age of 16. Then we will all come to the table and ask why continue to make the magic number “12”. Offer the kid an exam in the tenth grade....if he passes, then offer him a chance to graduate and move onto a community college for one year of state-provided tuition. You can figure you will save on teacher cost and it just makes sense to offer the kid a chance to exit.

I’ve believed for twenty years that we’ve got the wrong plan on the board....and this new IT relationship to school and a chance for kids to move at their own speed will eventually prove that point.

[TexasFreeper2009]

um.. that is exactly how the system works and has always worked.

Kids have always had the ability to skip grades if they were ahead of their peers and had mastered the subject matter.

I skipped a grade when I was in school and I know many people who skipped several grades, it’s fairly common.

[Rebelbase]

“I’ve believed for twenty years that we’ve got the wrong plan on the board....and this new IT relationship to school and a chance for kids to move at their own speed will eventually prove that point.”

It’ll be considered racist because the poor blacks don’t the have computer skills to excel.

[Jonty30]

It is actually reasonable to expect to master grade 12 material by age 14, if home school is properly done.

[wintertime]

1) Any child of any age should be permitted to take the GED or similar private exams. If they pass they should be awarded and **official** diploma from their local high school. This would simplify admission to the military and make getting scholarships more straight forward.

2) Charles Murray ( author of the “Bell Curve”) suggests certifiable qualifying exams. With Kahn Academy and other online programs there is plenty of free material available. What is lacking are certifiable exams.

3) n my opinion, the qualifying exams should start in first grade and be by subject. If a child proves mastery of addition he should moved immediately to the next level.

4) My children entered college at the ages of 13, 12, and 13, so very young children can be ready for college. There is historical precedence. At one time in our nation's history it was common for young teens to enroll in college.

[esquirette]

Florida does this - at 15. If the kid passes, he can take junior college level classes. I had one graduate with an AA at 17.