Re: Private School Circumvents State Graduation Test

[Victor Steinbok <victor.steinbok@verizon.net>]

It's ver tempting to write a letter to the paper.

> ...''It's listed as a legitimate high school,'' he said. ``There would be 
> no questions asked at admissions.''

That's because they ARE legitimate. And there should be more such 
legitimate schools popping up across the country. I've heard of three 
already. The real joke is that it need not be in Maine--it could be in 
Florida and still avoid the FCAT.

> ...''It is clearly in no way equivalent to a public school diploma from 
> the state of Maine,'' he said.

REALLY? Says who? Besides, the question really is if it's the equivalent of 
a high school diploma in the state of Florida. And the best part is, it's 
not a loophole! The standards legislations--modeled one after another--all 
were designed to drive those who can afford it and have not already done so 
into private schools--sort of, the other shoe in the voucher pair. It 
should not be too shocking when oddball private "schools" flaunt the 
testing requirements since they are not subject to them BY DESIGN.

> Maine has no exit exam like the FCAT.

This is irrelevant since the school is private.

> ''Somebody's trying to turn a buck on families who probably don't know any 
> better,'' Horne said. ``It just smells fishy.''

You don't say! You mean, people like Bennett and Hirsch are out there for 
the philanthropic reasons? Or perhaps it's the Harcourts, Riversides and 
NCRs of the publishing world that are non-profits?

> A spokeswoman for Gov. Jeb Bush, whose A+ Education plan included the FCAT 
> graduation requirement, said the state provides ample opportunities for 
> students to earn diplomas, even after the senior year.

That's right--and earning a private school diploma is one of them.

> ''We have alternatives that can assist students that have language 
> barriers -- immersion classes, special reading classes,'' said press 
> secretary Alia Faraj.
>
> Despite Bush's and Horne's opposition, the practice is likely to grow, at 
> least for now, as Foureau and his first group of graduates spread the word.

...and not just in Florida.

> ''This isn't anything we're going to take out advertising to tell people 
> about,'' Moitozo said, ``although that might be a good idea.''

Unlike Jeb Bush, these people actually seem to have some scruples and moral 
principles.

> Horne said Miami Dade College and other community colleges should 
> carefully consider which diplomas they accept.

Not if they have open admission policy--in this case, a diploma is a 
diploma, even if state officials don't like it.

> ''To simply waive the rules through a back-door channel is not serving the 
> students well,'' Horne said.

Hey, they wrote the rules--no one's waiving them.

> ``It's going to create a false sense of accomplishment.''

Oh, you mean like the false sense of accountability that you promote? Get a 
life, people!

        VS-)