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So that nobody has to go to school if they don't want to, by Roger Sipher
states that compulsory attendance laws should be abolished. His argument is that
students that don't wish to be in school are antagonistic to the school and
prevent others form learning, and therefore not be forced to attend school.
There are six advantages. Although these six advantages produce enormous
dividends, there are still some major flaws with his plan. First flaw with the
plan is where are the children going to go? The children can't just run the
streets not being able to even read or write.
Therefore you need supervision,
but with supervision comes money. And there are not many people who would even
take this babysitting job because of the money. Money is the second big issue.
The funds are just not there to run a quality, high-tech school and pay the
teachers. Thirdly, can children of that age make a sound decision about
something as important as school? No, of course not. Children of this age just
don't have enough experience with life to make that important of a decision for
their future. Another motive for children not performing up to standards is the
pressure. Maybe to much pressure is being put on students to perform in this
high-tech world. The emphasis as faded away from the basic skills of reading and
writing and arithmetic and has now focused on technology. The pressure needs to
be taken off the children at such a tender age in their lives.
And be put back
on what really matters. The students who chose to be antagonistic can be sent to
alternative schools such as Boot camps, Boys and Girls club, YMCA, and other
local programs and organizations. The problem here is not attendance; the
problem here is attitude. Although this plan has great features there is however
an effect that is detrimental. The ability to read, write, and even the basic
arithmetic are skills that everyone NEEDS to know. What in the world are you
going to do with a kid that is in his twenty's and can't perform these basic
skills. This is not going to be good. Although Sipher's plan is a very good
idea, the cons outweigh the pros. This plan would solve many problems, but in
the long run it would create more.
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