Socially promoting kids

[Jayn_Newell]

As an aside to the vocational school track, bringing it back might also help with shortages in the skilled trades. My father cannot find an assistant for the life of him–the vocational school he went to is gone, and the local community college doesn’t teach the right skillset. He’s also one of the youngest people in his field locally, at 55. Given that his field is basically support for the fisheries, which are the lifeblood of the area, makes me wonder what’s gonna happen up there in ten years or so.

[MandaJo]

@WhyNot

In grade school, we shouldn’t be so afraid to retain kids who just need more time to catch up. In high school, we should encourage those who still really haven’t caught up to go into vocational training, because yes, they’re not going to need chemistry anyway. We should implement programs that support and encourage people to do what they’re good at, even if that doesn’t ever involve a suit and tie.

Right, but right now those programs don’t exist. Even a lot of the vocational tracks require pretty bright kids–plumbing and electical work and carpentry are not for people that can’t add fractions, though all these people need assistiants. I really think we need more apprintice-type programs, rather than vocational ones, since many of these kids have specific weaknesses that show up most in a classroom enviroment–they don’t test well, they don’t learn well when it isn’t real.

However, all this is idealistic and does no good for right now, when Cardinal and I are facing Little Johnny, who needs to know whether or not he has to tell grandma he’s not graduating.

[Dangerosa]

@Magiver

The 3 R’s don’t stop at grade school, at least not math. And you’ve never worked as a mechanic. It’s hard mental work to diagnose a modern car. Definitely not a job for the 80’s crowd. .

I know that. Which is why I didn’t specify auto mechanic. I know a refrigeration mechanic who used to date a friend of mine who was dumb as rocks though - couldn’t read, couldn’t add. Could replace the condenser on a refrigerator.

[Saint_Cad]

@Manda JO

I’m not talking about a kid that could get up to speed with specific attention. I am talking about a kid who has gotten specific attention, come to class every day, attempted every assignment, come to tutoring, and still hasn’t passed a single test. In most “regular” high school classes, that kid could probably be earning a 65 or so: there are always completion grades and group projects and extra credit–a kid you can’t say has actually come to understand the subject can almost pass if they don’t leave a point on the table. Those are the kids that break your heart, and holding them back from graduation just seems like it doesn’t help anyone. On the other hand, it feels like lying to give them the credit. I really don’t know what the right answer is there. I am not sure there is one.

In a weird way, HS graduation exams make me feel better about bumping those students. If the state has decided those tests cover the essential skills of a graduate, than I feel like I have more wiggle room on the classroom level.

But you’re talking about a whole different issue than the OP. If a student comes to class and tutoring and passes the HSEE AND still has a 67 despite failing the tests, the problem is with the teacher and their assessments.

I admit that twice in my career I had a student who technically failed my class yet “earned” a D. Why? It had nothing to do with self-esteem or their future or any other reason the OP chose. These students did not speak any English and were within 2% of passing. In my professional opinion, that 2% was not from not meeting the standard but simply from language issues. And think about it this way, they earned a 58% in 7th grade prealgebra with only peer translators to help them understand me and translate their work. Damned impressive and not at all someone who “doesn’t get it”

[Carm6773]

@Magiver

I’m gettng a better picture of what is going on.

So would these kids pass a GED?

With enough attention, yes. However, you have to be 16 to get into a GED program.

[Magiver]

@Dangerosa

I know that. Which is why I didn’t specify auto mechanic. I know a refrigeration mechanic who used to date a friend of mine who was dumb as rocks though - couldn’t read, couldn’t add. Could replace the condenser on a refrigerator.

We’ve got Joint Vocational Schools in my state that are county based so they cover a number of school districts. Do you not have that in your area?

And I have a A/C repair story for you. My central air compressor grenaded so I had to have it replaced. They told me it just came apart inside. While I was watching them work on it I noticed the tiny capilary tubing in the house side of the unit and asked them what was preventing foreign objects from plugging them up. Nothing. Could they pressurize the lines from the house side and clean them out. Yes. I then asked if there were filters available for the lines. Yes… Long story short I had to do the “thinkin” for them.