It might be easier to lower standards than to expect all students to achieve at high levels. But is that really the right thing to do?
Lower standards are exactly what Louisiana is considering. On July 3, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal approved legislation to create a new high school career curriculum that will focus on teaching technical skills for blue-collar jobs instead of on preparing students for postsecondary education. The state legislature says the new plan is an effort is to lower drop out rates; but it seems more like an effort to find an easy solution, instead of doing what is best for students. Students that complete this track, which opponents say will lower education standards, will receive a “career diploma.” Chas Roemer, a member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, warns that the diploma will be meaningless and make it impossible for students to find good jobs.
Achieve, The Education Trust, and Jobs for The Future have all spoken out against the new curriculum stating “In attempting to design a work readiness path for students, you may inadvertently recreate the type of tracking system that leaves many students, particularly poor and minority students, unprepared for good careers and for further education after high school.” We agree.
We think all children have the ability to achieve at high levels; watering down what they are learning will only hurt students’ chances of success in school and in life.