Wicomico County Public Schools wants all students to become college and career ready during their school years, and to enjoy that walk across the stage to receive a diploma once they’ve met Maryland’s graduation requirements.
Over the years a small number of students chose not to continue until graduation once they reach the age of 16, or more recently age 17, as allowed under Maryland’s Age of Compulsory School Attendance law (Senate Bill 362, signed into law in 2012). Under that same law, as of July 1, 2017 the age for compulsory school attendance is now 18. Students may not withdraw from school prior to turning 18 or successfully graduating.
Maryland’s rising age for compulsory school attendance is designed to support students in building an educational foundation that will yield benefits for a lifetime. Students who stay in school through graduation can take full advantage of classes, programs, extracurricular activities, and guidance that will help them be college and career ready.
Career and college planning occur throughout a student’s time in school, starting with classroom activities, visits by professionals, and events such as Career Day in elementary school. In middle school, students explore career tracks, view videos on occupations and opportunities, and begin to make a blueprint for their high school years using the Naviance platform for college and career readiness. Parents can access Naviance to work with the student on planning.
“Our school system is focused on supporting the success of every student in preparation for college, career, and life as an adult,” said Dr. Donna C. Hanlin, Superintendent of Schools. “We look forward to working with every student and family through that moment when they reach out to receive their Maryland High School Diploma.”
High school students begin traveling on their chosen path to college and career from the first day as a freshman, whether they’re interested in rigorous college preparation through Advanced Placement courses, specialized training through the Department of Career and Technology Education at Parkside High School starting in 10th Grade, leadership development through the JROTC program at Wicomico High School, or another track such as world languages, science or mathematics. After age 16 students can pursue dual enrollment, taking classes at Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury University or University of Maryland Eastern Shore while still enrolled in high school. Some students earn a diploma through studies at Evening High School or the Choices Academy.
Data show that dropouts in Maryland need public assistance more than high school graduates, earn less over a lifetime, and have poorer health outcomes than those who graduate high school (The Taskforce on Dropout Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery, 1998). Dropouts comprised more than 42% of those entered into the Maryland Juvenile Justice System between school years 2007-2011 and 57.2% of adult offenders entering the Department of Corrections in 2011 (The Task Force to Study High School Dropout Rates of Persons in the Criminal Justice System, 2012).
9 comments:
If they were trouble makers for years and quit at 16 that gives teachers two more years of their disrupting the classroom.
Just gives gang members more time to recruit new members.
Why on earth....If they are not learning, have no desire to learn, constantly being disruptive, escalating their bad behavior to force schools to expel them, inhibiting other students right to learn, and all the other reasons not to do this, why would you force someone to be somewhere they clearly do not want to be?
Maryland, you never cease to amaze me with your ridiculous laws.
I haven't read the accompanying article, nor do I intend to, but unless you allow them to take a GED test and get their diploma before turning 18yoa, this is a disaster waiting to happen.
I can appreciate what you are trying to do but, it will not succeed without a minimal effort on the part of the student. If they had that desire to make an effort, this new law wouldn't be necessary would it?
It does have the potential to be a good thing and reverse certain bad trends but, and there's always a but, it is doomed from the start. I really hope I am proven wrong.
When I first read this headline a routine by George Carlin immediately came to mind.
They want OBEDIENT WORKERS. OBEDIENT WORKERS. People who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork, and just dumb enough to passably accept all these increasingly sh__tier jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime, and the vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it.
We used to be free
Parting gift from O'Malley.
Discipline stats are less trustworthy because of statewide emphasis on showing reduced trouble. But common sense and eyes of teachers and students in the halls verify that those mandated to be in school against their wishes did not suddenly turn into productive students. This year promises a repeat.
The school districts are complying with a law they didn't pass. Fie on O'Malley and his enablers.
Looking at this from the compulsory education side is a nice thing.
But what might not be in capital letters is that the least that we can expect from this is that it is also a way to keep the nanny state's charges in mandatory confinement (i.e., government daycare with 2 to 3 meals every weekday for most) six or seven hours per day for two additional years.
Another Ignorant move by the Government School System. WHY on earth would you make 18 year old slackies remain in the school system to do nothing but cause trouble and recruit mush minds to join them. Teachers have enough problems because these failing schools are NOT allowed to discipline from K forward. So VERY Sad.
Two types of diplomas. One for those who actually work hard at their education and the Affirmative Action diplomas for those who are not smart enough or do not work hard at all for their education. They think that them having a diploma will help them through life. How can someone complain that a test was made too hard for for people of color to pass. Just how do you do that? Someone please tell me.
Two more years of party time and free food. Must have been some complaining being done.
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