The American Diploma Project people have surveyed and polled all pertinent groups (high school students, educators and administrators, high school dropouts, new college students, college professors, parents, the general public, recent graduates in the workforce, employers, and some other people, too) regarding how adequately public high schools in America prepare graduates for college. All questioned parties agree that unless high school grads have taken AP classes, honors courses, etc., they will not be prepared for college-level coursework.

Thus far, I concur. The average public high school in America does not require of its students what the average American college or university will when those students graduate and begin their matriculation. Huge news this is not.

The newsy part is that the American Diploma Project and some politician-types have decided that the way to fix the problem is to create a whole new side project whereby high school students can be extra challenged and receive a College and Career Ready Diploma, also known as a “super diploma”.

Obviously, a super diploma is way cooler than a standard-issue diploma. There are some additional credits involved as well as more math, science and language requirements, etc. Theoretically, the graduates with the super diploma will be super-ready to kick ass in college or in the workforce.

That is a lovely plan. Really. The American Diploma Project folks put a huge amount of research into this. And where’s the bad in trying to increase high school grad preparedness for college? I agree (mostly) with what they’ve found lacking in the current system, and with the the list of coursework and skills graduates will need before entering college or the workforce.

But I’m not on board with the idea of it being an extra component of the current system. Why can’t the entire system just be made stronger and better and more ass-kicking? The public education system in America is like a road with some distressingly large, car-sized potholes. It could use a little work before someone gets hurt. So the Diploma guys and the politicians gathered around some of the more sizeable potholes and had a meeting, did some surveys, took some polls. Then they talked a lot and there were more meetings, plans were made, pages were written, money was invested.

And they decided to build a Special Shiny Golden Bridge of Wonderfulness over the Potholey Road of Public Education. Of course! Build a bridge over the problem! (Then we don’t have to deal with it). There are “opt-in” and “opt-out” loopholes built-in, so any student who doesn’t feel like being Super in this lifetime can avoid the bridge and stick with the potholes. Whew! Problem solved. Our work here is done.

I’m neither an educator nor a politician, but here’s my subtle suggestion: spend the time, energy, money and politician-backing on fixing the public education system. Improve the whole system so all graduates are prepared for college or career. Don’t make a special side project that increases the red tape and the confusion. I’ll be optimistic (and a little less sarcastic) and hope that their ultimate goal is that the Special Shiny Golden Bridge of Wonderfulness will eventually replace the Potholey Road. Maybe they’re just trying to move in slowly so the kinks can be worked out.

Further Reading:

Diploma Project Raises Bar for State
American Diploma Project Aims to ‘Guarantee’ College/Career
Ready or Not: Mathematics Benchmarks from the American Diploma Project
Study Says U.S. Should Set High-School Standards
Maryland Schools Will Participate in American Diploma Project
Virginia Secretary of Education: American Diploma Project Network
Oregon Dept. of Education: High School as a Key Transition
High School Diploma is No Longer Key to Success
Back to the Future in Mathematics Education

Posted by Alexa Harrington