Posted on 08/25/2006 7:23:12 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Mayor Daley suggested Thursday that high school be extended for a fifth year to defray college education costs now squeezing working poor and middle-class families.
(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...
The same Phil Bresdesen that some Freepers liked?
so, we tax more to keep them in school another year, making the costs of college even more out of reach of middle class famiiles. brilliant!
I have exchanged posts with a couple of Tennessee Freepers, none of whom admire Bresdesen.
Well we used to refer to the local community college as "13th grade".
Chicagoland ping?
As if we can't figure out that he's just trying to payoff the corrupt unions...it is sad that so many politicians, namely liberal Democrats, see education merely as a jobs program to be used as a patronage payoff.
It doesn't make sense to me, either.
"Mayor Daley suggested Thursday that high school be extended for a fifth year to defray college education costs now squeezing working poor and middle-class families."
Not only is this statement laughable, but its also not too difficult to figure out the reasons for skyrocketing education costs. Could they possibly be associated with all the illegals. And what better way to get more money from the government than to install a 5-year plan for students, who by the way, most can't stand being in high school for 4 years, much less 5. Wonder how long it will take for somebody to suggest a 6-year plan...
You're looking at this the wrong way.
The mayor's proposal would result in 25% more high school teaching jobs...
We need to compress K-12. Grades 7 and 8 have no new material. That's why ours fall behind internationals at that point. But look who is bidding for 13. It is the most corrupt machine in America that just wants the money.
Fifth year - so we can try again to teach them to read at the third grade level.
Based on what I've read about American history, about 5-6. Seems that by most accounts, pioneer kids on the frontier started about 8-9 and went till early teens. From historical documents I've seen they were far better educated than most high school graduates in about half the time. Even the Mennonites do that kind of job. We used Rod & Staff curriculum for some of the subjects in our years of homeschooling and they expect a LOT out of their kids. It's very rigorous.
At my son's public middle school last year, he had to write an essay about whether or not every kid should go to college.
He was 11 at the time, and he did not ask my opinion.
He said that not every kid should go to college. One reason was because some kids weren't smart enough, and another reason was that some kids don't want to and won't work hard enough. He had a few other very good arguments why college is not for every kid.
My son is still in public school, and I'm keeping my eye on him. So far, he isn't buying their indoctrination. He's very smart, so I don't think he ever will.
My son would probably be ready. He's in 7th taking 9th grade math, and he is reading at a high school level already. I'm sure he could already pass the exit exam.
I'm keeping my eye on him. So far, he isn't buying their indoctrination.
A WEALTH of wisdom in those two sentences! Congratulations on being an active, interested and observent parent! You are a rare breed in my opinion.
Over the past several years I've become a huge fan of the British "gap year." British high school grads take a year to work or travel before beginning their college experience. That year of being out of the educational cacoon helps them get a better grasp of the "real world," to mature and possibly focus on why they are going to college in the first place.
We are graduating kids 17-18 years old who for the most part haven't a clue what they want to do, but, hey, "everyone" is going to college, so why not?
Why not try the 'gap year' here? In addition to their (generally) being totally unprepared, and unfocused as to their future goals, our students are asking mom & dad to fork over mega-bucks ... or signing for college loans that will leave them in debt for years to come. The money is better spent once they have acquired that proverbial clue. A year of working might just be a first step .. and would greatly enhance their appreciation of the money being spent on college costs.
I also think that's a good idea. It will give them a chance to make decisions for themselves on important things, something very few of them get the opportunity to do.
Senior year,#12, is very important for our kids.That`s the start the long road of learning to drink.
If the first four years of public high school leave a lot of kids illiterate upon graduation, what will one extra year do?
When will we recognize that a failing system is a failing system? If I'm going to fail, I want it to be as fast as possible, not stretched out.
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