By the time most American youths reach eighteen, they will have spent two-thirds of their lives in educational institutions.
Why? The obvious answer is because state laws require all mentally and physically capable children to attend school between the ages of six and sixteen. Yet, if one were to ask many first-graders why they go to school, "We want to learn" would be the response.
Now, question a high school student. Most likely no sound explanation can be given. What has happened to this individual since he first started school?
He has lost interest interest in it because it has lost its interest and concern for him. The greater portion of today's curriculums are geared toward the average student. However, the average (the numerical result obtained by dividing the sum of two or more quantities by the number of quantities) student does not exist because no one is average!! These pupils classified as the norm of all students are neglected in so for as individual traits are concerned.
At both ends of the extremes, a great deal of the high budget for education and attention (special programs, teacher concern, etc.) is dedicated. The underpriviledged are taught through EMR programs, special reading assistance, musical therapy and vocational skills. Advanced courses, accelerated programs and honor curriculum are designed for the gifted student. It seems as though the greatest percentage of children are left out.
Today, they are the shadow of education. Hoe can they be blamed for this
lack of interest? There are no special courses for
them. Few actually toil over them because the extremes seem to need more
attention. Average students are not bragged about,
honor clubs and organizations are not created for them and they are not
being reached out to because they are good enough, yet not good enough.
When is the average student going to be of any worth? When caring, recognizing
him, and specialization of qualities comes into his scope.
The future is out there. Is concern for the average student in the picture, too?
Gradyites Need More College Information
Every year seniors begin the ritual of applying to colleges, but one major
fallacy of this ritual continually lies unanswered. There seems to be a
problem regarding the availability of information about scholarships, financial
aid, and other much needed information related to college.
Of course, the College Night programs and the counselors at Grady provide help regarding this information but only a certain number of students benefit from them. Why? There must be another way that these opportunities can be presented to all interested students and not just a few.
The SOUTHERNER staff suggests that assemblies regarding colleges and their student facilities be held during the year for all interested students. There should be assemblies, designed for certain representatives from respective colleges to come to Grady and talk to interested students. These representatives could also give out informative brochures, catalogs, and information about their respective colleges.
The SOUTHERNER staff takes the position that if these ideas were exercised, many students would benefit from information regarding the college of their choice. If the situation remains as it is today, many students who would have otherwise benefited from information about scholarships financial aid, and other important facts will possibly miss their chance to go to a college that best suits their goals and needs,