No Child Left Behind Act

It’s Completed Now What?

When most high schools seniors are asked how they feel after graduation most have the same remarks and feelings, “it’s over I graduated” and a few respond with “it’s completed”. You heard them right no need to check you hearing they have completed high school not graduated. The NCLB behind policy received a revision in 2004 that allows ineligible students wishing to participate in graduation ceremonies the right to do so. According to the US Press Secretary, false statements regarding graduation requirements and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) are being circulated via e-mail. These e-mails are inaccurate, could lead to misunderstanding, and need to be corrected.” (Colby). There are a lot of fallacies associated with this policy: students accepting the certificate can never receive a GED or diploma, enlist in the armed forces, attend culinary or beauty school, attend a trade school, or receive federal loans. None of the aforementioned is true. The reality is the federal government agreed to stop holding students that can not pass the test administered in high school from exiting the school system, or worse become drop outs. Essentially dropping out and the Certificate of Completion are the same but drop outs aren’t allowed to participate in ceremonies. This one thing is the basis for my argument. I am against the certificate of completion which allows students who have attended high school for four years to march with those who have successfully completed four years of high school because they don’t deserve it and the certificate is of no value to them.

Each state sets up its own guidelines and requirements for certificate of completions. The certificate doesn’t hinder anyone from going back to school or entering into any military service. In order to enlist in any military branch the student must go back to school and complete their high school diploma. If the student is over twenty-one and wishes to join the military the student must enroll in an adult education program. Once enrolled the student may receive a GED or an Adult High School Diploma. Both the GED and the Adult High School Diploma both open doorways for the student wishing to further their education after making the mistake of delaying the process by accepting the certificate of completion. The certificate of completion is basically an unnecessary stepping stool there to help a child who is already tall enough to reach the sink. The students who don’t wish to farther their education will not benefit from receiving the certificate neither are they hindered. Their status in life will never change with or without the certificate. But the students wishing to go to college, enter into a trade school, or enlist in the military must still complete the same requirements as everyone else.

This certificate of completion is just something that is there not to help nor hinder rather allow these students to march in commencement exercises which is defiantly inexcusable. According to the US Board of Education “. . . certificates of completion are used for students . . . who do not earn the number of credits to meet state graduation requirements but still want to participate in graduation ceremonies with their class (Jim Mould)”.Why should students who did not successfully complete and meet all graduation requirements be allowed to participate in graduation with those that did? Graduation is privilege not a right. Most students spend four years in high school preparing to leave and enter the adult world. How do you think they feel having to sit next to the people who showed up everyday but never completed the same amount of work as them? No one wants to share the privileges and rewards of their labor with slackers. Most students take the certificate to avoid being embarrassed