‘GED Plus’ on agenda for schools
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 02:08 p.m., July 21, 2008
Updated 02:08 p.m., July 21, 2008
The proposal for a “GED Plus” diploma will be back on the table for action at the Emporia board of education meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Mary Herbert Education Center, 1700 West Seventh Ave.
Board members earlier this year had tabled the proposal, which would provide high school diplomas in both English and Spanish through a new GED Plus program. The proposal, presented at the May 14 meeting, would include giving a high school diploma to GED graduates who completed additional requirements — the “Plus” part of the diploma — beyond the 21-hour equivalent of the traditional GED course.
The district would need to contract with an outside entity to provide the Spanish GED Plus; no figures for the cost were available when the proposal was presented.
Proponents in the district office said then it would be easier for Spanish-speaking people to get jobs if they had high-school diplomas instead of traditional GEDs. Getting the GED Plus diploma would enable some, for example, to get a job with the school district, which requires most of its non-educator employees to have a minimum of a high school diploma.
Board members had questioned whether the district could afford to add any program at this time and whether it was wise to grant a separate diploma in Spanish when the graduate would need to function in an English-speaking business world.
The board will hear a review of the preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress report and the quarterly budget report. The board also will consider a request to publish notice of the annual budget hearing.
The board will hold a budget workshop at 6:30 p.m. today at Mary Herbert. A public budget workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, with a budget hearing to follow at 7 p.m., also at Mary Herbert.
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
I think this is a bad idea. How are we helping the youth succeed when we give them easy ways out like this. The real world is not easy - if an employer wants you to read/write in English - they aren't going to hire you if you can't fill out an application in English regardless of your GED status.
July 22, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
baloo65 (anonymous) says...
WOW, emporialifer! What a common sense answer. As someone wrote" We reap what we sow". Giving a easy way out does not teach responsibility to work and acheive what you need to live life. I salute you.
July 22, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Dumbing down an exam so more people can claim to have passed something. Hmmm. When they lack demonstrable skills expected of anyone with a passing grade, it hurts everyone who has actually attained that passing grade. Now they will need something else to prove they possess the demonstrable skills.
July 22, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gnogal (anonymous) says...
If the district makes exceptions for the GED, then why do they put so much emphasis on ELA programs? Maybe they could put the ELA teachers elsewhere. GED Plus seems like an easy way out for some and a slap in the face to those that have put forth the effort to work to obtain the standard GED.
July 22, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
One other thing - who in their right mind presents a proposal when they do not have the figures for the cost of said proposal available?! Oh wait, that's right, only a group that is funded by taxpayer dollars, and apparently feels they have a never ending supply of funds. You certainly wouldn't see a business do such a thing.
Seems like common sense to me to wait to even bring up a proposal until all facts have been gathered that would possibly affect the final decision. Perhaps it was simply brought up as a "feeler" to gage interest level in such a thing, but still, knowing the cost (which is probably a large determiner) might also have stopped the proposal right then and there if it was outside of the budget. Just my two cents - maybe I should stop being so logical.
July 22, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
this is a crappy idea and I hope it doesn't happen. This is the US....learn English and come here legally or don't come to the US to live at all. US citizens would have to do the same to live in other countries. I would not expect to go to Mexico and live without learning the language and being prepared to follow their rules.
July 22, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Sure seems like someone is down-right determined to get the Spanish language GED set up. It's not a good thing. You need to be fluent enough in English to function in society, not just barely fluent, or willing to work somewhere where everyone speaks Spanish. I don't know many people who have lived in a foreign country more than a year and could not function in the country's native language--it's a sign of either laziness or stupidity, neither of which are attributes valued in the earning of a H.S. diploma. That's a bit harsh, I know, but "sheesh"! There are free ESL classes all the time. There are plenty of people to practice your English on. Just. Do. It. Please!
July 22, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esu42 (anonymous) says...
Are they considering an option to get a high school diploma for those who already have a GED, or is this just for those who have never taken the GED test?
July 22, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
wont this encourage kids to drop out of high school when they would benefit more from being in school 4 years. dropping out denies them the chance to get a full high school education and staying in school gives them a chance to be in extracurricular activitis learning things they can t learn if they enroll in the G.E.D program. maybe the school should spend their time and effort keeping kids in school instead of building a program that may look easier than going to school.
July 22, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )