I realize that this coronavirus is putting a strain and discomfort on everyone. As a parent, I feel for my children. But total relaxation from rules is not an option.
High School Graduation
I, too, have a graduating high school senior this year. Even without meeting in a building with fellow classmates, he is getting the work done. Even with months off school, he is progressing.
Doing The Work
How is it that public schools, who have not been in session several weeks and do not plan on opening in the near future, can move graduation to June, expecting it to happen? Are these students actually doing their senior-level work at home, every day, for weeks, even months? Otherwise, how can they earn a diploma? Does it matter if they don’t do the work? Do your children do chores? Does it matter if they wash some of the dishes, and not all? Mow half of the lawn? We do want our children to graduate. Absolutely! But I want them to do the work, too. If the work really doesn’t matter, why not graduate in ninth grade, or how about second? Does graduation matter? Does following rules set up by the state of Missouri mean anything? If rules are not important, why do we have speed limits? Why do we have any laws? Does it matter what one learns in high school, before entering the adult world? If not, perhaps Missouri should change its graduation requirements.
Conclusion
At this time, I do not have a satisfactory answer. I do believe in getting the work done, all of it. I realize picking up higher level courses like physics after a few months vacation will be extremely difficult. But I believe that the work does need to be done. How about a fall graduation? What about summer school to finish these credits? What college would want a student who doesn’t finish his work? Do you want your student fraternizing with other students who don’t do the work?
