Comments on NT/History Blog: High Schools need an Associate's Diploma

I'm proposing the option for 16 year olds to s...

2009-10-30T12:43:34.145-05:00

I'm proposing the option for 16 year olds to skip the last two years of high school with a secondary degree, which would qualify them for a range of two year training institutions, but not the traditional "higher education" degree programs.

Two year H.S. graduates could enroll in Trade Schools or Technical Colleges if they behaved well and performed up to those requirements. Many would probably enter the job force right away, as they do now, but without the stigma or shame of being 'dropouts'.

Seriously, we don't all need Algebra II and Shakespeare. Just those of us who are aiming at college. In my paradigm, nobody has to label or sort kids in a restrictive way. All the options remain open, but kids who self-identify with vocational interests can get started earler, instead of going through the motions while trying to stay out of trouble.

Sorry...my bad. So you are proposing students not...

2009-10-30T12:21:25.680-05:00

Sorry...my bad. So you are proposing students not finish the four years of high school, but instead do only a few years (or something like that???)?

Hey, Rick. I think you mean they earn credits tow...

2009-10-30T11:55:40.061-05:00

Hey, Rick. I think you mean they earn credits towards an Associate's Degree. An "Associate's Diploma" as I'm suggesting it would be a truncated secondary (not postsecondary) curriculum.

The DoE in Minnesota actually demands that every s...

2009-10-30T11:16:52.687-05:00

The DoE in Minnesota actually demands that every student have the opportunity to complete approximately one year (not sure of how many credits or if its a bit more than one year) of undergrad work while still in High School. This way many of our students graduate with most of an Associate's Diploma already completed. So Texas doesn't offer this?