Lawmakers in Utah Discuss Early Graduation

I think this is pretty interesting, and something no doubt I know a lot of YWSers would like. Lawmakers in Utah are discussing whether to allow those students who have all the credits necessary to graduate at the end of their third year of high-school to skip the fourth year. Thus, such students would graduate early. It saves the state money while rewarding those students who work hard.

Lawmakers discuss early high school graduation
By Lisa Schencker
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 02/09/2010 09:53:52 AM MST

Sen. Chris Buttars isn't talking about dropping 12th grade any more.

Now, he's talking about making 12th grade optional for those students who finish their required credits early -- and some lawmakers are listening to the idea with interest.
"I like thinking outside of the box like this," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, who co-chairs the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. "I think it really makes us examine what we're doing."

Now, instead of trying to eliminate 12th grade, Buttars, R-West Jordan, is proposing the state save up to $60 million by giving students the option of graduating from high school early. Students who finish their high school requirements early are already allowed to graduate early, but Buttars' proposal would provide more incentives for students to do that and make that option clearer, he said.

Buttars said he's working on a bill on the concept.

"There are some [students] that really have a great 12th grade, but you talk to 100 kids and their parents, and I believe the majority of them will say, 'Well, my kid didn't do much in the 12th grade,'" Buttars said. "Everybody wants to talk about change ... But to tell you the truth, they're scared to death of it."

Several lawmakers praised Buttars on Monday for his creativity in trying to think of ways to ease the state's budget troubles.

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Well. It's interesting. But I'm still going to 12th grade. It kind of makes sense. I'm friends with a bunch of seniors, and I agree that most of them don't do a whole lot in their senior year, but then there's still the social part of school. I think it's strange, but yeah.

-Jared

And I live in Utah. So.

I agree with you Jared in that it's probably not something I would do either. But, I know a lot of people who had all the credits for graduation but were annoyed they couldn't graduate because of the requirement of a fourth year. In fact, it's something I'm running into at law school right now. At the end of this semester, I'll have all the credits necessary to graduate. But because I switched from full-time to part-time and back to full-time, I haven't attended the necessary number of semesters. So I need to take just one class in the Fall to graduate. Not because I need the class, but because I need to attend the necessary number of semesters. It's aggravating (especially since it means I have to pay a ton more money for something I shouldn't have to do).

I really like that opportunity. I did something similar, only three years of highschool (but I was homeschooled, so it's not the same), and I was really happy I did. Nobody can really tell I'm younger, and sticking with grade twelve would have bored me out of my skull and make me lose interest in school. I find an option like this pretty fantastic.

I should have taken the opportunity to graduate early. My school is awful.

Oh well, only a few more months.

Graduating early would be okay, I dunno. However, If this affected me-I'd probably still take it, just because there is a wide variety of fun elective choices only available to seniors at my school.