Deb

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_re_us/exit_exam_lawsuit

One quote struck me in the article:

"O'Connell has said that students who fail the exam can take another
year of high school, get extra tutoring, enroll in summer school or
attend community college until they pass."

Hmm so if they can take community college classes for a while, why
would they need a high school diploma? A year or two at community
college and they would (a) be above the compulsory attendance age (b)
be able to simply transfer to a 4 yr college or university (should
they choose to) with not somuch concern about the diploma - unless, I
suppose, they want to go to a state-run college/university which tends
to be run by the same people as the high school system.

Thoughts?

--Deb

Pamela Sorooshian

On Feb 9, 2006, at 8:29 AM, Deb wrote:

> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_re_us/exit_exam_lawsuit
>
> One quote struck me in the article:
>
> "O'Connell has said that students who fail the exam can take another
> year of high school, get extra tutoring, enroll in summer school or
> attend community college until they pass."

This is wrong. He's - confused, I suppose. Or ignorant. Sad,
considering he's responsible for both the k12 and community college
system here in California. Public high school students can only take
classes at the community college with permission of their principal/
counselor who must verify that the student can benefit from "college
level work." Most community college do allow some advanced high
school students to take classes, but they are limited to part-time
enrollment and to certain courses. The college where I teach doesn't
not allow high school students to take ANY course which is considered
remedial or one that is offered at a high school in the student's
district.

Community colleges are going to be thrilled that O'Connell thinks
they should be sort of a dumping ground for the thousands of kids who
fail the exit exam. Not.

>
> Hmm so if they can take community college classes for a while, why
> would they need a high school diploma?

They don't. But most people don't know that and still think a high
school diploma is critical to life success.

> A year or two at community
> college and they would (a) be above the compulsory attendance age (b)
> be able to simply transfer to a 4 yr college or university (should
> they choose to) with not somuch concern about the diploma - unless, I
> suppose, they want to go to a state-run college/university which tends
> to be run by the same people as the high school system.

They could easily transfer - it is easier to transfer than to get in
as a freshman, in fact.

There are ways to go to college full time before turning 18,
homeschoolers do it, but these are the kids who could NOT pass the
high school exit exam and are not going to be the ones who qualify
for full-time college enrollment at 16 or 17 years old. Lots are not
going to be interested in college, even.

We homeschoolers know a lot about what they could do, as
alternatives, but their parents would have to be on the same page.
For example, they can start their own private school or they can
enroll in a private independent study program. Some of us with
private schools would be willing to graduate them almost immediately.
But - the parents don't know there are alternatives and when they
hear about them they are often suspicious that we're wrong - declare
yourself to be a private school and give the kid a diploma? Sounds
too easy to be true.

-pam



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