What does a diploma mean?

[Want2Teach]

Reading the what made you want to teach thread brought this question to my mind.

As a teacher, what does the high school diploma mean?

Before studying to be a teacher, I had expectations of someone who came to me as a high school graduate.

I expected that the graduate would have completed 12 years of schooling. I expected that during the high school years, the graduate would have completed four years of English, three years of math (including algebra, advanced algebra and a geometry or calculus course), three years of science including a biology and chemistry class, two years of history (U.S. and World), literature or foreign language classes and possibly some business classes. I also assumed that the school would only issue diplomas to students who had met a standard in each of the classes. The high school diploma was a sign that the graduate had the foundation of a well rounded education.

I remember in college, a religion or philosophy course that was required (I graduated from a catholic affiliated college) required our reading some works by St. Francis of Assisi. There was a girl in the class who had problems comprehending the writing, and after failing a couple of tests she spoke with the professor. She told me that the professor told her that if she were unable to read and comprehend college level material, she didn't need to be in college. I never saw her again. Was the instructor right to expect someone who had been allowed into the college to be able to function at a certain level?

I ask the rambling question for a reason. I have been offered a fifth grade class next year. I really wanted to teach kindergarten, but I am interested in this position. My concern is that many will have been promoted to the fifth grade without mastering the materials in the previous grades. I'm not sure that I have the mindset to be tolerant of a system that doesn't require proficiency at the current level before promoting a child to the next level. If I'm going to be a fifth grade teacher, I don't want to teach the fourth grade. I know that I will have expectations, and I know that I stand a chance of being disappointed or frustrated.

It is amusing that the educational process for teachers includes all the reporting requirements, the various programs available for schools and the qualifications, but very little in the way of what to really expect in the real world.

Maybe all education is that way. How many times have you heard someone say that doctors learn medicine, but they know very little about running a business. They graduate, and open an office - they have a business and no clue as to how it should operate.

[Boxcar]

I'll be very frank here: At the high school from which I graduated, a diploma carries little weight for the students. The only goal is to graduate. The more corners a student can cut, the better. Getting out of class, getting a D, and getting by are what matters to most of the indivudals. The students leaving the school would not meet your expectations. They know how to cheat, and they know how to get by. They do not, however, know how to read/write at a high level, the math skills are practical application ones, and history/music/science are non-existant. To be fair, a small number of kids in the AP program do have the qualifications to meet your expectations. The rest don't. Even those who are college bound don't see the point in pushing themselves until they enter college. If they can get into a school while doing the minimum, that is the goal.

[Want2Teach]

Boxcar,

You referenced the high school from which you graduated. You are now a teacher, which means that you successfully completed your college education. Were you an exception to the rule at your high school? If not, how did you manage to "catch up" once you entered college.

I know that a lot of the students I will have come through my classes may not be college bound. Many will take over their dad's auto shop, work on the farm or participate in some family type business. There are some from this area (N GA) who will go on to college. The school that has offered me a position doesn't have a college path or technical path, only a general high school curriculum. I really want to make sure that I enable to the kids to take maximum advantage of the high school offerings so that they have options after graduation.

[Chef Dave]

It is amusing that the educational process for teachers includes all the reporting requirements, the various programs available for schools and the qualifications, but very little in the way of what to really expect in the real world.



Most student teachers also do their student teaching in nice little suburban middle class schools and are thoroughly unprepared for the challenge of teaching at a low income inner-city school.

My first job was in rural south Texas. I taught the 5th grade children of migrant workers and my job title was, "Title 1 Migrant Teacher."

I had students on the 2nd and 3rd grade reading and math levels.

It also didn't help that their parents would pull them from school for as long as 3-4 weeks to pick crops.

During this time, the children were NOT in school and teaching this class felt like I was tying to walk up a steep and sandy slope. Every time I thought I was making academic progress with a given child, the student would be pulled from class. When the kid came back, he/she had forgotten whatever had been learned and had to be retaught.

It was very frustrating.



How many times have you heard someone say that doctors learn medicine, but they know very little about running a business. They graduate, and open an office - they have a business and no clue as to how it should operate.


Actually, I've never heard this ... and I come from a family of doctors.

It used to be that after completing a residency, doctors who wanted to set up a general practice would hire an experienced office manager who knew his or her way around bookkeeping and insurance claims.

Doctors who practice this sort of medicine are declining in numbers, being replaced by doctors who work at small Family clinics. The advantage of working at a clinic is that a clinic needs a small staff just to handle the insurance paperwork. The presence of more doctors allows a practice to see more patients which raises the overall bottom line as insurance companies are stressing higher patient volume as opposed to the quality of care.

[greenfiremajick]

Reading the what made you want to teach thread brought this question to my mind.

As a teacher, what does the high school diploma mean?

Before studying to be a teacher, I had expectations of someone who came to me as a high school graduate.

I expected that the graduate would have completed 12 years of schooling. I expected that during the high school years, the graduate would have completed four years of English, three years of math (including algebra, advanced algebra and a geometry or calculus course), three years of science including a biology and chemistry class, two years of history (U.S. and World), literature or foreign language classes and possibly some business classes. I also assumed that the school would only issue diplomas to students who had met a standard in each of the classes. The high school diploma was a sign that the graduate had the foundation of a well rounded education.

I remember in college, a religion or philosophy course that was required (I graduated from a catholic affiliated college) required our reading some works by St. Francis of Assisi. There was a girl in the class who had problems comprehending the writing, and after failing a couple of tests she spoke with the professor. She told me that the professor told her that if she were unable to read and comprehend college level material, she didn't need to be in college. I never saw her again. Was the instructor right to expect someone who had been allowed into the college to be able to function at a certain level?

I ask the rambling question for a reason. I have been offered a fifth grade class next year. I really wanted to teach kindergarten, but I am interested in this position. My concern is that many will have been promoted to the fifth grade without mastering the materials in the previous grades. I'm not sure that I have the mindset to be tolerant of a system that doesn't require proficiency at the current level before promoting a child to the next level. If I'm going to be a fifth grade teacher, I don't want to teach the fourth grade. I know that I will have expectations, and I know that I stand a chance of being disappointed or frustrated.

It is amusing that the educational process for teachers includes all the reporting requirements, the various programs available for schools and the qualifications, but very little in the way of what to really expect in the real world.

Maybe all education is that way. How many times have you heard someone say that doctors learn medicine, but they know very little about running a business. They graduate, and open an office - they have a business and no clue as to how it should operate.


Well, my personal experience, is that I dropped out of school. I then got my GED. I then went on to many and varied experiences, waiting until the age of 28 to begin my education once again. I received my undergrad in IT in 2.5 years and then went on to get my grad. College algebra and business math, etc were extremely hard for me, especially since I had just started prealgebra when I dropped out!