Principal's "Fail" to "Pass"

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>I’m wondering what other people think about this article from the New York Times (8/1/07).</p>

<p>Overview: The article is about a high school senior who failed her math class due to, among other things, missing numerous days of class and not turning in homework assignments. She didn’t even show up for her final exam. Thus, her teacher failed her. When she and her mom complained, the school ruled that the teacher should allow her to take the final (after a 2-day private tutoring session with another teacher). She still did miserably, failing by the teacher’s standards. However, the principal reversed the decision, allowing the student to graduate. </p>

<p>You can read the full story here: <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/education/01education.html?ref=education[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/education/01education.html?ref=education&lt;/a&gt;. What do you think about the principal’s decision? Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Lucky kid.</p>

3

<p>It kind of illustrates why colleges find it much easier to accept from the schools known to them to not broker crap.</p>

4

<p>It kind of illustrates why colleges find it much easier to accept from the schools known to them to not broker crap.</p>

5

<p>collegekid100, I agree completely. Also, this is the kind of crap that demeans the value of the high school diploma. Was summer school not an option ?</p>

6

<p>wow</p>

<p>so those who attend school, try, but fail, do not graduate.
but those who skip school, put forth no effort, and fail, receive diplomas.</p>

<p>what an ingenious policy :S</p>

7

<p>Now thats what I called a new generation of Americans!</p>

8

<p>geez thats seriously messed up</p>

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<p>I suggest limiting high school to five years. If you didn’t graduate the first time, then you get a second chance. Screw up the second chance, and you’re out. I don’t need my taxes going towards useless people like them who will only end up with some custodial job.</p>

<p>No third proms for her.</p>

10

<p>^They shouldn’t even get that. Summer school…If its not available she can work for a GED. Or you could have a 5th year but no senior perks like the prom and if you missed 1/4 (maybe less)of the year you automatically drop out. </p>

<p>You know what, I don’t think administrators should have that amount of power. The teacher had proof…I’m tired of student’s parents going to bat for their children when it was clearly their children’s fault. When you skip that many classes, she should of fail with an 0.</p>

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<p>I have been one to think that if you fail HS, you should never be given a chance to make up; you knew what you had to do to pass, and could not even muster enough to do that. (And the GED should only be an option if you failed HS for extenuating reasons, not idiocy (that includes imprisonment).)
Furthermore, if you fail to be productive in your job you also should be removed and deported, given you are a waste in the country’s workforce. There are plenty who want to work here; let them, and export those who are unwilling to work.</p>

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<p>Um…where would you export them to? I don’t see any countries accepting them…(Wait…lets send them to darfur!)</p>

13

<p>Export them? I hope you were kidding…
I think 5 years is fine for some, if it’s truly needed (ie major learning disability, moving right before senior year and thus not having the correct grad. requirements, ect).
But this article is just ridiculous. In this case the teacher needs the power, not the principal.</p>