Over the past decade our secondary educational system has suffered under what has become known as “social promotions.” “Social Promotion” is the product of many events that have occurred over the past several years. High dropout rates, integration, and radical movements within the teaching field have all contributed their share to this movement.
Since the mid 1960’s the value of a high school diploma has diminished greatly. Students are being passed to higher grades and even diplomas without meeting minimal requirements. This results in students leaving high school to enter society without the bare necessities required to be a productive citizen.
Luckily there is now an awakening wave going through our educational systems. Educational districts throughout the United States are beginning to re-evaluate the effectiveness of our educational programs. Tests are now being administered to determine whether students are qualified to progress to a higher grade. School systems already using the testing method have found several astounding results. The percentage of dropouts have actually decreased, failures indicate no prejudical separation, and the knowledge level of all grades have greatly improved.
Not only does the elimination of social promotion better prepare the leaving students to be productive in society, but it also furnishes the educational system with a means of self assessment of their abilities as educators.
Hopefully this new trend will again be enforced in not only all elementary and high schools but also at the college level. Education does not guarantee the success of our nation, it only supplies the building blocks necessary to make and keep our nation the best in the world.
An education is something that can not be given anyone just by presenting them with a piece of paper. An education must be earned through a competent school system made up of practical subjects and qualified instructors.