Think highschool is pointless? Abolish it!

In my school work I came across an assignment to write a summary and response to an article. We were given the choice of a couple, but one really caught my eye. "Let Teenagers Try Adulthood" seemed like the perfect topic for me, I've blogged before on how terribly teens are treated in the eyes of adults (http://www.progressiveu.org/085629-despising-youth), but imagine my surprise when the author didn't mean let us try adulthood, but rather make us adults a lot earlier.

In the article, “Let Teenagers Try Adulthood”, Leon Botstein clearly states that he believes, “The American high school is obsolete and should be abolished." While high schools do have flaws, I do not believe any of them are large enough to warrant abolishing the entire institution.

One of Botstein’s first points is the over abundance of high school cliques, defined by a “superficial definition of good looks…popularity, and sports prowess.” He further states that the teachers, especially coaches, seem to look the other way. Yes, high school cliques are a problem and dominate the “teen scene” but look at their role models. When the people you look up to are full of a “superficial definition of good looks and attractiveness, popularity, and sports prowess” like Michael Jordan, Paris Hilton, Tom Cruise and Serena Williams, what can you expect? Teens are constantly bombarded with the message that the real world is defined by looks and popularity. Ironically, Botstein claims, “But the rules of high school turn out not to be the rules of life.” Clearly this is not true. You probably know who won the Super bowl or one of the Academy Awards winners; but do you know who runs “Google”? Even Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, isn’t as well known as actress Lindsay LoHan, who is constantly in the news. Botstein can’t use the culture of high schools to condemn high schools without criticizing the entire society. Furthermore, many students lead healthy social lives even if they’re not in the popular clique.

Botstein then moves his remarks from the learning place to the learning. He begins, “Given the poor quality of recruitment and training for high school teachers, it is no wonder that the curriculum and the enterprise of learning hold so little sway over young people.” On the contrary, many high school students excel in learning and go on to college, later becoming successful businessmen and women. But Botstein is right; too many students don’t realize the importance of high school and by the time they graduate “and realize what really is at stake in becoming an adult, too many opportunities have been lost and too much time has been wasted.” In that case, I think we should rethink out teaching methods. Enough small changes could be implemented, such as smaller classes and more interactive and electronic supplements to boost the overall effectiveness of high schools. University Prep, a Detroit-based high school, recently graduated their first senior class with a 90% graduation rate and all the graduates are going on the college. Their secret? Teacher’s spent time with students individually, creating lasting bonds. Success is achievable through the current system; we just need to rethink our priorities.

Finally, Botstein’s punch line, “Young people should graduate at 16 rather than 18” is absolutely absurd. The majority of 16 year olds aren’t ready for college or a full time job. In all fairness, some 16 year olds do have the intellectual capabilities and maturity to handle college classes; I am one of them. Therefore I can honestly say the vast majority of 16 year olds, even 17 year olds, don’t have the levels of maturity and accountability necessary for college, which, in turn, applies to a full time job. At 16, teens should be worried about school, friends, and family, not a paycheck and car payments. I fear that if the graduation age is lowered, we will experience more burnouts.

Botstein’s idea to abolish high school, while well founded, is insane. High schools should examine their individual systems and create programs tailored to their students as University Prep has done. All in all, high school is not a life scarring experience, as Botstein would have you believe. It is a time for young people to have fun and learn about themselves and others. Let them enjoy their short time in sanctuary; they will become adults soon enough. Why push them so hard?