Oregon school district wants to require college or trade school admission for grads

[alp227]

A rural Oregon school district wants to make acceptance to college or trade school a requirement for students to receive a high school diploma.

The purpose, said Corbett High School Principal Phil Pearson, is to ensure that students are familiar with the application process – even those who don’t intend to go to college.

“Foresight is not the strength of a 15-year-old,” he said. If graduates of the Corbett School District want to pursue more education later on, the principal said, he doesn’t want them to be held back by not knowing how to apply.

But the new graduation requirement faces resistance in the district, which serves about 1,300 students and is located in the Columbia River Gorge roughly 22 miles from downtown Portland.

full: http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2013/10/oregon_school_district_wants_t.html

[duffyduff]

1. Not a good idea. n/t

[jeffrey_pdx]

2. I don't know about trade schools, but it costs money to apply to college

I think most people would benefit from some college or trade school, but it shouldn't be a requirement to gain admission just to graduate from high school. Also, if you read the article, they are required to take 6 AP courses. When I was in high school, I took every AP course I could, most of my friends couldn't pass one. I don't know if AP courses are easier now, or if the expectations are too high, but that just seems like a bad idea. AP = Advanced Placement, ie, not for everyone.

[duffyduff]

3. I think this is strictly to make the school look good for those silly "rankings."

The district has NO business forcing this on students as a condition to graduate.

I don't know how much it costs to apply for Mt. Hood Community College, for example, but I am sure it isn't cheap.

[Ka hrnt]

4. Application--maybe. Acceptance? Absolutely not.

Has anyone else ever stopped and really wondered about just how many remarkably stupid ideas the leadership in education in this country makes? If anything needs reform, it's the education colleges.