Massachusetts Plan May Allow 16 Year Old Students to Graduateby Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger 23 Jun 2008 04:56 PM Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick plans to unveil a report in the near future that will change the way that children cycle through education. The report comes from the Readiness Project that was created over a year ago. In the report the governor suggests that students in high school be allowed to take an exam that would allow them to graduate early. Students could possibly graduate from high school as early as 16 years of age. The plan also involves the recommendation that all college credits earned be universal throughout the college system. Therefore once a credit is earned it could not be lost by transferring to another institution. All institutions would recognize and accept the credits earned at other colleges. The goal of the Governor is to change education from being a structured path to follow into a more student-personalized plan. He wants to get away from traveling through elementary, middle, high school, and college based on grade level and age. He wishes to see students progressing at their own pace and level. When creating his plan, he has involved more than 200 educators, businessmen and women, and community leaders. As of now the state does not have an age requirement for graduating from high school. However education requirements basically keep children in school until the twelfth grade and age of 18. I think that Patrick has some good ideas on education. I too would like to see the structured path loosen some. I particularly thin that the universal credit system is wonderful. However, I cannot imagine children graduating from the education system at the age of 16. I think that some children are academically ready. However, I would hate to see a sixteen-year-old child thrown into the world of work or college at such an early age. College involves things that some sixteen year olds are not ready for experiencing. In addition, a child of this age is just receiving a driver's license. They are not ready for the responsibly of a job that some will be forced to get if they no longer attend school. Passing an academic test does not support the idea that a child is mature enough for the world. Ending Early College Admissions Learn more about Lyn Newton  Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing. Relevanteducation tags User Comments  Andrea Hermitt (5512) 23 Jun 2008 08:46 PMYou always get me on that last paragraph! This is great news. I had an older brother who was an A student but dropped out six months before graduation because he was sick of being treated like a child. I run into students like this all the time, who are capable of graduating and are bored with school and would rather be working... if they can pass the test and parents can guide them through an internship or a couple of years of work, than let them do it.  Lyn Newton (3966) 24 Jun 2008 04:36 AMYou are right about some students. I wonder if the parents will have to sign for the students to go through with it? Community Tags exit exams, graduation age requirements, high school graduation, Readiness Plan Discuss this article
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