Should Speaking English Be Required to Graduate?

[Coito ergo sum]

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/loca ... 54.html?dr

"We know from colleges and employers, that our students are going to have to know how to read and write in English if they are going be successful," Supt Nicholas Fischer, told the Day

LOL - I would have thought that speaking English would be a requirement for passing any literature, reading comprehension, or "English" class .... in my high school, we had a class called "English." Are people who can't speak English getting a passing grade in English? I don't recall anyone being permitted to graduate my high school without receiving a passing grade in every class....

This crap is remarkable. It really is a question in 2011 that high school students in the US ought to learn how to speak English? Really?

[Hermit]

Depends on which country you are aiming to get your degree in. In your case it's not English.

[Coito ergo sum]

The article is from Connecticut, in the United States.

[PsychoSerenity]

I'm confused.

First - does anyone know what age kids is this? is High School equivalent to our GCSE's or A-levels?

Second - is it referring to passing an English class, or does graduating mean you have to pass lots of different classes to pass any of them? I'm not sure how it works.

The article mentions immigrant students and translations - are they saying that student who is Chinese for example, who is studying maths and physics, would also have to pass English as if it were their first language?

[Bella Fortuna]

High school here is roughly ages 14-18.

[Coito ergo sum]

I'm confused.

First - does anyone know what age kids is this? is High School equivalent to our GCSE's or A-levels?

High school is age 14 to 17, generally speaking. We start kindergarten at age 5, and then 1st grade is at age 6. High school is grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Second - is it referring to passing an English class, or does graduating mean you have to pass lots of different classes to pass any of them? I'm not sure how it works.

When I went to school, it was impossible to pass high school with any failing grades. If you received a failing grade, you had to pass it in "summer school," or you would not be allowed to graduate with a High School Diploma.

The article mentions immigrant students and translations - are they saying that student who is Chinese for example, who is studying maths and physics, would also have to pass English as if it were their first language?

It's saying they have to learn to speak and write basic English.

[PsychoSerenity]

When I went to school, it was impossible to pass high school with any failing grades. If you received a failing grade, you had to pass it in "summer school," or you would not be allowed to graduate with a High School Diploma.

Odd. Does that mean the other grades then don't count for anything? Or is the Diploma just an extra bit of paper, on top of your normal grades, that says you got them all? And what subjects are a compulsory part of graduating? Presumably there are some choices in subjects at that age?

[Hermit]

The article is from Connecticut, in the United States.

Not English then. QED.

[Coito ergo sum]

Most people speak English here, like they do in Australia, Canada and a host of other countries.

[Hermit]

Most people speak English here

Presumptuous git.

[Clinton Huxley]

English should be required. Not just to graduate. English should just be required.

[MrJonno]

I think uniquely Americans pass school while other countries pass subjects, don't think there is the equivalent of British GCSE/A levels in the US. They just get an overall grade and sit a university entrance exam?

[Santa_Claus]

I'd make 'em all speak Swahili.

[Bella Fortuna]

I think uniquely Americans pass school while other countries pass subjects, don't think there is the equivalent of British GCSE/A levels in the US. They just get an overall grade and sit a university entrance exam?

Correct - each subject is not taken individually, they are each graded (A, B, C, D, F) individually and each letter grade has a corresponding numerical value (see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_%28e ... ted_States ), which is looked at in totality to see if the person meets the minimum standard to graduate. Afterwards you'd take the SAT (scholastic aptitude test) which is another numerical indicator of proficiency in a number of subjects that is required when applying to secondary education.

As far as college/uni entrance exams, I'm sure they vary, but when I went, one simply applied to the schools you wanted to, provided your transcripts, SAT scores, etc., but the only 'exams' happened when I was accepted and chose to go to a particular school - I had to take basic maths and English tests.

[Coito ergo sum]

Most people speak English here

Presumptuous git.

How so?