It's unfortunate, but a certain percentage of Bibb's residents have made it painfully clear they either never learned how to behave responsibly in certain circumstances, or perhaps they just refuse to do so. This is a continuing problem at some Bibb County public school graduation ceremonies that were disrupted by persons who demonstrated a week ago they have little or no concern for others.
It's not acceptable to disrupt graduation ceremonies with shouting, screaming or firing blasts on air horns, but a significant number of those attending ceremonies held at the Coliseum for Central, Westside and Hutchings Career Center, acted as if this were appropriate. While this type of behavior is not limited to Bibb County, or just high school graduations, the Bibb County school board's central office staff is meeting today about the problem. Let's hope the staff recommends the board adopt enforceable ground rules to keep these ceremonies from becoming boisterous.
There are three important changes that should be considered.
First, and most important, since it appears the most serious disruptions took place when students not actually graduating were permitted to "walk" with those receiving diplomas, this "walking" should be abolished. While the board says there are no current plans to change, this policy needs serious reconsideration. As Westside High School art teacher Polly Sheehan noted, "The board should say if you don't graduate, you don't walk." She's absolutely right. There's no reason to permit students who have not met state graduation requirements to take part in graduation ceremonies. They haven't earned it.
Second, the school board should employ a sufficient number of law enforcement officers inside the Coliseum and give them strict instructions as to what is permissible and what is not. No boisterous actions, no air horns, no screaming. Instructions from the podium are to be followed. Those who violate the rules should be escorted out the door. No exceptions.
Third, strictly limit the number of tickets given to those who are graduating. While some schools permit 10 tickets, this may be too many. A maximum of five, which would accommodate two parents and three others, might be more appropriate. And the BOE should ensure that tickets cannot be easily reproduced, since it appears some tickets may have been copied to admit more than the allotted number.
While these measures would be harsh, they deserve serious consideration. Too many people have demonstrated they do not understand the protocol of graduation ceremonies. It is a solemn recognition of accomplishment, not a three-ring circus.
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13 comments:
The people who think students who do not pass should walk are the same people who think everybody who shows up for kids sports should get a trophy. Study after study shows that the self-esteem, I am special movement in current education programs does not work and creates narcissitic little sociopaths who really believe that they are the center of the universe. Parents who whoop and holler contribute almost as much as failed educational theory.
To Me after 12 years of work, the Pomp and Circumstance is the right way to express your accomplishment.
The wild hooping and hollering is nonsense. Should you not meet the requirements for graduation, you have no reason to be there. Graduation is a symbol of accomplishment, not an ego trip.
I believe Upson-Lee has adopted a closed to the public graduation ceremony, allowing only a certain number of ticktes per graduate. I believe a ticket for each immediate family member plus grandparents is sufficient. The option to have an after graduation party with whooping and hollering is available to those who wish to foot the expense for such an affair; however, the actual ceremony is not the place for loud and obnoxious behvior.
I was shocked a couple of years ago when I learned that most Georgia school boards either let non-grads walk or have considered letting them participate.
When/why did this ever happen?
If you haven't earned that diploma then why should you be permitted to participate in the ceremony. The ceremony is for the students that have worked hard and earned that priviledge. Stop mollycoddleing the inept.
here we are lowing the bar again for people who can not make the grade. and i quote the judge from caddy-shack once more "the world needs ditch diggers too Tommy"
POWP
a bunch of savages is how they act,but what do you expect?its the culture of these people,and the sad thing is, its only going to get worse
Getting to walk in the graduation ceremony without earning a diploma came about with the Georgia High School Graduation Test. There are those students that complete the credit requirements, pass the classes, yet fail one or more portions of the graduation test which prevents them from getting their diploma. I say they should have to pass the test to earn their diploma. If an embarrassingly high number of students are not passing the tests, then the BOE should look a little closer at administration/faculty to find out why students are not learning. If the students don't want to learn, they should be taken out of school thereby improving the learning environment for those who do wish to learn. There are statistics available online at the GDOE website that show exactly what percentages of students pass, fail or pass plus on each area of the graduation test, broken down by racial subgroups. Science seems to be the "problem" area, not just for LC schools, but schools across the state. This tells me that we are in desperate need of qualified science teachers.
Boards of Education that allow the failures to walk are simply gutless.
Future graduates take note:
take a stand people! if i were graduating this year with all the proper credentials to allow it and found out that others were allowed to march without such credentials i would boycott the whole event with rememberence through the years that i stood for what i believed in.
POWP
we have dumbed down our whole socity for one race
you got that right brother! take a stand!
POWP
Yes, I say they should have to pass the test to earn their diploma. I believe some students shouldn't be able to walk who doesn't meet the requirements for graduation. But there are some students who do deserve to walk who doesn't meet requirements. Myself being one who didn't pass the science part when I graduated in 03' worked hard to make it that far. Went to school 13 long years (k-12) just for someone to tell me that I can't walk because I didn't pass one part of the test is ridiculous.
Graduation is a symbol of accomplishment. So that's why you have a lot of people whooping and hollering. Yes, I do believe some of the loud behavior is unecessary. But you have some people (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers,etc.)who are happy that someone in their family finish school and accomplish something that they didn't do in their life.
Me being the first to graduated in my family.
And for the person who said.....
We have dumbed down our whole society for one race is an ignorant person. Some children don't have support at home. Some children don't have any one encouraging them or pointing them in the right direction. Some children don't have a mother and a father in the home. It's only so much women can do especially with boys. Some children don't have decent environments to go home to. So for you to make a statement like that makes you dumb.
I not excusing the ones who don't want to learn beacause I do believe that there are some children who do go to school and learn nothinng. But there are some who genuinely want to do something with themselves but they have so many negative influences around them. Not to say that they have to become a product of their environment.
I think we have to blame the children, parents,(the administration/faculty) and society as a whole. I also believe that they don't have teachers like they use too. Teachers who was concern and care and use to call your parents when you had a bad grade or if you was misbehaving. Teachers now just put you out of their class room, sent to the office and don't care whether you fail or not just for a pay check.
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