In Utah, a plan to cut 12th grade -- altogether

[Modbert]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-utah-school15-2010feb15,0,906102.story

Reporting from Denver - At Utah's West Jordan High School, the halls have swirled lately with debate over the merits of 12th grade:

Is it a waste of time? Are students ready for the real world at 17?

For student body president J.D. Williams, 18, the answer to both questions is a resounding no. "I need this year," he said, adding that most of his classmates felt the same way.

The sudden buzz over the relative value of senior year stems from a recent proposal by state Sen. Chris Buttars that Utah make a dent in its budget gap by eliminating the 12th grade.

The notion quickly gained some traction among supporters who agreed with the Republican's assessment that many seniors frittered away their final year of high school, but faced vehement opposition from other quarters, including in his hometown of West Jordan.

"My parents are against it," Williams said. "All the teachers at the school are against it. I'm against it."

Buttars has since toned down the idea, suggesting instead that senior year become optional for students who complete their required credits early. He estimated the move could save up to $60 million, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The proposal comes as the state faces a $700-million shortfall and reflects the creativity -- or desperation -- of lawmakers.

In Utah, the opt-out proposal could prove more politically feasible.

"The bottom line is saving taxpayer dollars while improving options for students," said state Sen. Howard A. Stephenson, a Republican and co-chairman of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. "The more options we give to students to accelerate, the more beneficial it is to students and taxpayers."

Seriously? Are they that desperate?

 

[CrimsonWhite]

This would make more sense in Mississippi.

 

[Modbert]

This would make more sense in Mississippi.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji-cT58rgNc]YouTube - Ed McMahon Hiyo[/ame]

I'd rep you if I could.

The only thing this does is get rid of 12th grade in Utah and not fix any sort of budgeting problems. I mean what happens next time around? 11th grade goes next?

Just no fiscal responsibility at all.

 

[uscitizen]

But those Moremoan kids are smart.

 

[Oddball]

Since remedial courses have become all the rage for college froshies, what's the harm in getting them there a year sooner?

 

[blu]

I do think it is stupid that kids who meet all the requirements by junior year should have to do senior year at a high school. These kids will just be taking AP classes anyway so why not let them just enroll in college and do the real thing? A couple people I took AP courses with got credit in 5+ classes, basically skipping a full semester of college while having to sl udge through high school crap.

 

[uscitizen]

I skipped 5th grade.

Went from 4th straight to 6th.
Double promoted.

Then puberty set in in and I got stupid for a while.