<p>Self-explanatory. This is my first practice essay. I typed it up just I wrote it, with all the mistakes. Please let me know how to improve it (keeping in mind the time limit). The prompt was whether or not teenagers should be required to maintain a “C” average in school before receiving a driver’s license.</p>
<p>Legislators are increasingly debating whether or not to mandate a “C” grade average requirement for students interested in attaining their licenses. Some legislators believe it would be an effective policy in encouraging responsibility among today’s youth. Others, however, are against the policy, believing that there is no known correlation between school grades. I am in favor of the policy given a few concerns are addressed.</p>
<p>It is reasonable to point out the lack of a known correlation between grades and driving abilities. However, simple studies actually testing this can be performed, utilizing the scientific method to judicial issues. Also, several motor insurance companies, such as All State, actually provide students with higher grade point averages (GPAs) lower auto insurance rates. Furthermore, students who pass their academic courses with a “C” average or above show that they are fulfilling their responsibilities as a student.</p>
<p>It is crucial for some families to have student drivers for other reasons as well. Some families that struggle financially may need students to drive themselves to school, unable to pay the school’s bus costs. Other families may need students to drive to work, helping the family pay bills. Family financial issues already create an obstacle for students trying to learn. Establishing this prospective policy may hinder families’ financial stability more, which would make it harder for students to learn.</p>
<p>If students are not experiencing financial difficulties, they still may benefit from having their own means of transportation. Personally, I do not have a license. I take the school bus at 7 AM every morning, an hour and a half prior to the start of the school day even though my school is only a 15-minute drive from my home. I lose 2 and a half more hours riding the bus than I would if I had a license. This time can be spent studying or doing homework instead of sitting on a crowded bus listening to the day’s daily dish of gossip of love and television.</p>
<p>However, the enforcement of this policy is not a cure-all. Schools differ in difficulty, and a 1.9 GPA may be equivalent in regards to knowledge gained to a 2.6 GPA at another school. Given that each school or district can set its own minimum GPA requirement accordingly, I believe that this policy would be very effective.</p>
<p>The policy encourages responsible students to demonstrate their responsibility on the road. It allows students to save time and money while helping them gain responsibility. For these reasons, I strongly support the prospective legislative policy requiring a “C” average or above for students prior to attaining their license.</p>