[Vision2020] One Way to Save the State Lots and Lots of Money

[Tom Hansen]

Oh, yeah.  This'll work.

Courtesy of Associated Content at:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2708945/utah_senator_proposes_eliminating_12th.html

------------------------------------------------------------------

Utah Senator Proposes Eliminating 12th Grade
Get Rid of 12th Grade in Utah to Save Money, Says Senator
By McCarvel

Utah State Sen. Chris Buttars on February 1st appeared before the Public
Education Appropriations Subcommittee and suggested that Utah schools
eliminate the twelfth grade and get rid of busing for high school students
to save $60 million. He said this grade was a waste of time for most
students and that many squander away this year, which costs the state
millions of dollars.

However, concerned educators said this idea would wreak havoc on college
admissions and will create substandard education. Strenuous objections
from parents and teachers caused Buttars to back off somewhat and change
his proposal to making the senior year optional.

My child is in the 10th grade at a High School in St. George, Utah. My
three other children have already graduated. As a parent, I believe kids
are not fully matured at 17 years old and need the senior year to allow
them more life experience. I want them to have the wonderful experiences
of "senior year." It is a noble goal for them to achieve.

Without senior year, many would be left to do nothing. The job market in
southern Utah is in a desperate situation and certainly adding thousands
of 17 years olds would not help the quality of life here for either the
child or the community. What does a 17 year old do without school or a
job? Frankly, many kids are not academically prepared well at junior year
and that would negatively affect the colleges in Utah.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune (www.sltrib.com), Utah has a $700
million budget shortfall, so $60 million is a significant cut. However,
most parents will agree with teachers who say this grade is important to
the development of the student. We are preparing them to enter the world
in this grade. I have seen my own children sense that they are reaching a
major goal in their life when completing the 12th grade and graduating
from high school. Just because the state of Utah faces a budget crisis in
education which every state has for the last 30 years, it is no reason to
create an unemployment crisis and make Utah kids miss out on crucial
instruction that they need for college admission. According to the Utah
Board of Education (www.usoe.k12.ut.us) it makes no sense to make students
less prepared for college than they are already. Sen. Buttars proposal has
caused a firestorm of attention from parents, teachers and students almost
all of whom are against his plan. It would appear that the media frenzy
over his suggestion would indicate it is not likely to get much support
from those involved with this issue.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown