Should local Florida students be allowed to take Pennsylvania classes, at taxpayer expense, to get a Pa. diploma?

Lake Worth High senior Karlie Rock is on track to earn a high school diploma, but not from Florida.

She is one of 85 Palm Beach County students trying to graduate from a Pennsylvania public school without setting foot in that state. And taxpayers are picking up the tab.

Like hundreds of other Florida students, Rock hasn't passed the math and reading portions of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, a diploma requirement in the state. So she sits in her school library, taking all of her courses online from a Pennsylvania school.

Superintendent Art Johnson said some may see the program as an end run around the FCAT. But to him, it's a way for students with little hope of graduating to avoid joining the legion of Florida dropouts.

"I think it's a very good alternative," he said. "While passing the FCAT is important and it is a signature of some level of achievement, it's not the only way to be successful in life."

In Palm Beach County alone, roughly 2,500 of the Class of 2009's 10,000 seniors won't get a Florida diploma this spring for a host of reasons, including failing FCAT scores.

But there's one key issue involving the Pennsylvania diploma program: It's unclear whether it is legal for Florida school districts to use it.

The state Department of Education is studying whether it violates state statutes. Regardless, department officials aren't happy about it.



http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/02/04/0204pa_diploma.html


My opinion - if you can't pass the final exam, then you shouldn't graduate.

What would that mean that attendance is the only requirement to graduate? Hell then I want to study medicine and not pick up a book... The doctor is in and is ready to see you now


{*sorry forgot to add link to newspaper article}

However, if these students has been scooted from grade to grade and never really taught the skills necessary to pass the test.

I just removed owen from public schools. At the charter school, he was assessed to be in the lowest kindergaten class. All because he had a poor teacher, that didn't have a sense of her class room. Owen was picked on everyday by another little boy and the teacher didn't have a clue. And she didn't have a true sense of his capiblities, yet he was in her small group.

That's my point - mere presence doesn't mean one passes onto next grade and much less graduates.

Good thing you removed Owen

But, if that child was passed along and now is in high school... who's problem is it now?

That's not the reasoning in the article, not passed along but they were unable to pass a test FCAT - Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Allowed to take online courses from Pennsylvania school online, on taxpayers penny.

I understand. But if they were not giving the skills along the way to pass the test, who is to blame?

Should they be taking classes and there be no compensation? No, there should be some sort of monetary exchange per student.

The skills were provided - up to the child and parents to reinforce (agreed?)

If you can't pass the test don't feel they should graduate.

I see it like going to med school, failing that one test, but finding out that you can retest in another state 'online'. Would you frequent that doctor?

their compensation is education

from article:
"Florida's nationally recognized accountability system, as established by the Florida Legislature, works to ensure that all students have the same opportunity to achieve at higher levels," said Kelsey Lehtomaa, deputy press secretary. "By circumventing Florida's prerequisites for a state-sanctioned diploma, districts do a disservice to our students and to our state as a whole."

Hhmmmm... I dunno. You know I love our little fights!

Would never fight w/you

Wait...

I thought valuing an education made one an elitist?

It's too easy to place blame in the complex problem of education on just one group or several groups like teachers, children, families or the government or on factors like race, economic conditions or social conditions.

The answers need to come from all involved.

This situation makes a great argument for a national standard in education. We've seen how well no child left behind works though haven't we?

Adults cannot it seems agree on what constitutes an education.

Science? While other countries see the value of science education our squad of bible thumpers squashes scientific inquiry among adults never mind teaching children to inquire, question and test theories. Math? Oh that's too hard for my little snowflake can't they use a computer instead...oh wait! Literature? My little snowflake might read something I find religiously, morally or politically objectionable! English? Don't mention that my little snowflake or the idiot down the street cannot assemble a readable sentence because they might feel bad! Music or Art? No need for these frivolous programs! There's no connection between creativity, capacity to create and success! (I hope posters as catching the sarcasm here) Physical education? That's too hard! Finishing last in the sprint might injure my little snowflakes self esteem. And so on...

Until people figure out that American cannot maintain its prominence promoting stupidity nothing will change.

This situation is extremely disheartening.

I agree Lynann - why make anyone work and earn much less learn anything, let's just hand it out while we can.