High or Low?

Comments Off on High or Low?

Debatable graduation requirements

Graduation requirements remain a constant topic amongst high-schoolers and especially seniors. Some people believe the requirements are too much and should be easier to achieve. However, others believe there should be more challenges for students and teach them responsibility. Although, most officials consider these standards the perfect in-between as well.

To graduate high school in the state of Florida, students must accumulate 24 credits throughout the four years of education and achieve at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). While this varies in different programs, sometimes the requirements become more complex. Students also need to pass their end-of-year tests and exams. This is an easy reach for certain groups but might not cater to others. For some

instances, people’s intelligence is measured by how one can read a book or how easy it is to solve a complex math problem. But many students’ capabilities lie outside of school guidelines like grades or test scores.

“Yes, I feel it (graduation requirements) is too much because what if we waste time with classes that don’t matter to us or our future career?” said Deerfield Beach High School freshman Danielle Robinson.

Good grades and test scores in high school are crucial for some occupations—for example, someone who wants to become a doctor. Universities that offer medical school and programs often graze over unimpressive statistics or records. But high school doesn’t exactly determine an immediate path to this goal. There are countless accounts of doctors starting out late. Either way, students should not be discouraged by teachers or peers whether they’re performing below average or not. Of course, this doesn’t go to say that learning about the basics of math, science, english, and more isn’t crucial for everyday life.

“I don’t think they require too much, but they are bettering the required classes. Like the financial literacy class I am in right now,” said DBHS junior Brianna Chambers.

High standards are definitely not for the worst as long as graduation rates don’t drop. It’s not guaranteed that people are going to take on these careers that take years to achieve if they get dispirited in secondary school.


Written by  Kamryn Spina | Graphic Designed by Jennifer Landaverde