HIGH SCHOOL IS A "WASTE OF TIME," U.S. EDUCATOR SAYS

1. Do you think grade 10 is an appropriate grade for students to finish secondary school and move on into post- secondary school, vocational training, and the working world? Choose one of the three options (post- secondary, vocational trainig, working world) and explain your answer.

Ans: In my opinion, I think that it would an inadvisable course of action to take and go out into the working world after grade 10. This means that I think grade 10 is a inapropriate grade for students to finish secondary school. The purpose of secondary school is simple, preparing a person for the working world, for society. There are multiple courses in grade 10 and many more in grade 11 and 12. As you get closer to graduation, the courses that are offered are the same level and expectations when you come out to society and start working. When applying for a job in a company, you have to meet the criteria. One of the criteria is having some knowledge in the job. Currently, each course in each grade is a base, a foundation for the next level of the course. By the end of grade 12, you would have the knowledge required to meet the criteria. That is why grade 10 is an inappropriate grade for students to finish secondary school and move on into the working world.



2. Do you agree with Mr. Botsteins statement, "I'm not advocating interrupting education, but a mature 16- year old needs to have role models who are 20, 25, even 18 in the same class." Would it make a difference for 16 year olds to have "role models" in the same classes?

Ans: For the 16 years olds, it would make a difference. If the role models were the same age as the students, it would not make any difference. The difference in age between the student and the "role model" is significant. This difference affects the 16 year old as he or she may feel awkward around the "role model". In addition, the difference in age also implies that both individual's way of thinking is different. They may even have conflicting ideas. Even if 16 year olds are mature, they are still capable of falling under the influence of others. These "role models" can influence the 16 year old, thus controlling the individual (in a way). If this occurs, Mr. Botstein would be doing the complete opposite of what he said.

3. Do you agree or disagree with what Alan says about kids not doing well due to lack of motivation, and that they have done poorly for a while? Explain your answer.

Ans: I fully agree with what Alan King says. The reason why kids do not do well in their studies and other activities is the fact that they lack motivation. They also have done poorly for a while. The reason why they lack motivation must be due to events that have affected them greatly that caused their performance level to decrease. It all starts with an event, something. Secondly, that event affects the person until the person starts to do poorly in everything he or she does. Thirdly, the person is takes the event seriously until he or she loses motivation and their performance decreases even more.

4. What kinds of jobs will be waiting for 16 year olds entering the workforce according to Alan King? What kinds of job do you think should be available to 16 year olds?

Ans: According to Alan King, the jobs that will be waiting for 16 year olds entering the workforce are an array of jobs that are fast- food jobs, low- paid jobs and that are short term, designed for part- time workers in transition. If it were up to me, the jobs that would be available to 16 year olds would be jobs like helping out at a construction site, doing some basic accountant work etc. These jobs would be designed to prepare the 16 year olds for higher level jobs that demand a higher level of responsibility and creativity etc. These jobs would form the base for the higher level of the same job. This is the kind of job I think should be available to 16 year olds entering the workforce.

5. Give your overall impression of the issue being discussed. Is this a relevant topic to be discussed by students of this course?

Ans: This is a relevant topic to be discussed by the students of this course. Majority of the students of this are either 16 or approaching 16 already. They should know what is going on and they should have a say in it. It is things like these that keep the world going, debates, protests, education, negotiation and so on. I personally think that it would be benificial to us.