Occasionally I shift through the articles from my local paper and I come across something of interest. One of them is the change in diplomas. Louisiana wants to start a new program that would allow students in high school to have the option of pursuing a "normal" high school diploma or seeking the "career" path high school diploma.
Initially I was very opposed to this diploma. Already, Louisiana has a high drop out rate for high school students. Yes, an alternative path for a diploma would keep more students in school, but what would be the requirements of this diploma? It was mentioned that the students would take less Math and English courses, so would these students be getting a sufficient amount of education? I'm all for keeping students in high school and using different ways to do it, but if it limits a student, then no.
It seems like the people negotiating this diploma were feeling the same way. The local newspaper in Baton Rouge, 2theadvocate.com, released a couple of articles about the exit tests for high school. First, the graduation exit exam will be removed.In the new system, "students will have to earn passing marks on at least three end-of-course tests out of six subjects. Those are: Algebra I or geometry, English 2 or English 3, and Biology or American history." It is thought that in this way students will have the test instantly at the end of the year where the knowledge is still fresh, rather than waiting to the end.
The new "career" path diploma students will have to take the same tests at the end, but the other course work will be exempt. This is to give more credibility to the diploma. In this aspect, I am happy with the new diploma, but I still have my reservations.
Don't get me wrong, I know some adults from other states who received the technical training diploma rather than the "normal" high school diploma. They are successful and have happy families. They are also intelligent individuals. So, I have seen the positive affects of it. I just have reservations when it comes to Louisiana Educators making this course curriculum. Will an exit exam for English 1 be on the same level of difficulty as it would be in New York? Also, would more students go for the career diploma and take less courses because it seems easy? Will students realize that universities will not always take those diplomas? I guess I am just hesitant to put my full support behind it. In my ideal situation, I would want students to have the same course work until their junior year where they would start on either path they wanted. Before they could choose they would have to talk to their school counselor and really think about the decision they are making, because it is a huge decision, and it is something that needs to be discussed. Maybe it will be that way. Who knows, but whatever the case is Louisiana is going through with it, if I like it or not...
High School Exit Exam Article
Career Diploma Article
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I think it is pretty sad how countries everywhere in the world try to make their secondary education systems easier only to keep people in school instead of adressing the real problems why students are dropping out. Unfortunately, Louisiana is only of multiple places in the world where this is going on at the moment.
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