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

[Glenn Schwaller]

I found it quite interesting the editorial in the MPDN addressing this
issue ran juxtaposed to an op-ed article on how incoming freshmen are
so poorly prepared for the rigors of a university education.  Imagine
having to teach remedial math, English and reading to high school
graduates under the current circumstances.  And someone wants to
fast-track them!

GS

On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
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