
But then, our senior meeting at school happened. Demands were given and privileges were taken. The school’s leadership is providing FREE ACT, SAT, TSI and Advanced Academics study sessions on Saturdays and the students aren’t having it!
The administrators offered that they want to ensure the success of all students in this 21st century global market and economy. The students offered back that we are trying to force something they might not want.
Record scratch.
Who does NOT want success in their life! It saddens me to the point it’s almost laughable that many young people in vulnerable populations have rose-colored glasses on and cannot see past today! Why wouldn’t you want to be locked and loaded with as much education, training, stamina and preparation that you can get to solidify your success? You think luck and prayer is going to get you by? Newsflash: There’s no such thing as luck—just preparation meeting opportunity. And faith without work will not unlock any doors.
Complaints such as, “it’s Saturday” or “I have job” or “we’re going to protest” run the gamut of excuses that I hear students shouting about. However, a job is all they will have if they don’t receive adequate education and training to forge a career. And protest?? Because someone wants to give you an education?? (Go be okay with that.) Right now, I just don’t think students today see the forest for the trees. Their entitlement both startles and devastates me at the same time.
Unfortunately, instead of buckling down trying to be successful on these exams or retaking them to get a better score in order to compete in a 21st century market, our students have been culturally conditioned into believing that mediocrity is okay. That mindset needs to change, now.
When I was growing up, if I received a “B” on my report card, my dad would ask, “Oh yeah? Why isn’t it an A?” And in college, when I did get “A’s,” he’d want to know the points then ask, “Oh yeah? Why a 92 instead of a 100?” At the time, I thought that was harsh. But I realized soon after, is that he was breaking some generational cycles of complacency. The higher I earn, the higher I can go!
So with that, I’m worried that many of the victims of “the shut down” do not have the skills, acumen or wherewithal to just say, “screw it,” and go find another job or create their own wealth as entrepreneurs. Did they not take advantage of opportunities such as the ones our district is offering our students? Did they settle for mediocrity instead of consistently pushing themselves to improve? Did they not load up on multi-industry skills so that changing industries would be as breezy as changing clothes? We may never know. Do you know? How will you prepare to live your best life with the skills and resources that you currently have?
Alas, life is going to hit hard. All human beings will learn one way or another that you have to work for everything you get in this life.
Read the commentary above, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity.
2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.
3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--
- Be clear about your position
- Provide specific support for your argument
- Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
- Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.
Due: Fri., Jan. 25, 2019 11:59 p.m. CST