Indiana

JLT?s 5-Year Plan

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson says some students should spend five years in high school as a way to reduce Indiana’s drop out rate.  Excuse me?!  She says some students can’t finish school in four years and need more time to graduate.

No offense JLT, but what you are proposing here is called “lowering the bar to get more students to pass.”   If someone can’t do something in four years, is an extra year really going to make a difference.  If you are going to give students an extra year, why not two more years.  Heck for that matter, 10 years.  Why don’t we just say an “F” is now a passing grade and everyone can get through the gate.   Also, by throwing in an extra year we are looking at potentially 20-year olds sitting in a classroom with 15-year olds.  The potential for me to break into my R. Kelly repertoire is immense right now.

Instead of giving kids more time, how about we give them more standards and more choices and create a real voucher program. That way failing schools will go away which, along with the lack parental involvement, are the real culprits. I’m all for free books, more vocational education and public-private partnerships to mentor and tutor kids, but more time to get through high school?!  

Instead of offering more time in school JLT, you should have spent more time at the drawing board on this one.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on September 03, 2008 (boomark / email).