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[The water cooler - What Eastsiders are talking about - By Ann Garretson]

"Should public high schools require a "C" average to graduate?"
(asked at the Kirkland Library on 06-03-98; published in the EJ on 06-07-98)


[pt.]Kaylee Nylan, Stuffed animal designer, Kirkland
[blue rule]
"That's a hard one... Raising the grade point average to graduate? No, I don't think so. Maybe they need to do better to get a "C" or a "D" in the class."

[pt.]John Potter, Construction manager, Seattle
[blue rule]
"I'd say no because after high school lots of more very important experiences are yet to come. To judge somebody that severely at that age is unfair."

[pt.]Lisa Crabtree, Office manager, Bothell
[blue rule]
"My answer would be yes. I think it's time for schools to hold the kids accountable for their own futures."

[pt.]Joe Tabor, Sales consultant, Newcastle
[blue rule]
"If you're not going to give the kids educational support -- teachers, books, quality teaching -- don't change it. I think it's more complicated than that and I don't think it's fair."

[pt.]Ann C. Smallbeck, Preschool teacher, Kirkland
[blue rule]
"A "C" level to graduate? Oh, man. I guess my philosophy's changed over the years. To offer a diploma, a "C" average? Yes. And to offer a GED, a "D" -- perhaps a different form of evaluation other than ABCs. The diploma carries with it your right to get into a university. And we need some kind of a system of management for order in our system."

[pt.]Bob Mitchell, Research analyst, Seattle
[blue rule]
"I don't think so. I don't think that the grades necessarily measure achievement or learning. Instead of emphasis on getting a score on a test, I would like to see more emphasis on learning for your own sake. Make the students see the benefit. It's a more effective way of learning."

 

[blue rule]

© 1998 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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