This week, Bryce Harper of Las Vegas, a well-known 16-year-old who is called the “Chosen One,” a.k.a. the next All-Star baseball player, has decided to skip the last two years of high school and instead get a GED, a choice made with his parents.  This highly-publicized choice has automatically faced criticism from those who believe that although his talents out of class are incredible, he should stay in school to get all of the benefits of a high school education.

This trend of graduating early is becoming more and more intriguing to high school students.  Many want to just get out of high school because they don’t like the drama, or they may feel college would be a more comfortable learning style for them, or they feel that they could be doing something better with their lives than sitting in a classroom.

I, myself, am graduating after my third year of high school, and going straight to a university.  Many people have called me an idiot for my choice, but I feel I have good reasons for my decision.  I have much interest in Computer Engineering, a hot career right now, and I feel like sitting in a classroom learning stuff I will forget next month is completely useless.  I applaud Bryce Harper’s decision to graduate at the age of sixteen.  If I were recognized by Sports Illustrated already, I would be out of school right away too!

I must say, graduating early is not for all students.  The education system is effective.  Sure, not as effective as the other countries of the world, but it does its job of expanding the minds of children and young adults.  But this system does not fit each and every person.  As I see it, the education system fits those kids who need to learn the importance of self-discipline, obviously reading, and thinking outside of the box.  But some kids already get the basics of 10th grade when they enter middle school.  The maturity range of students is so incredible that, I must stress again, this system cannot fit every single child.

So should we get rid of the education system? NO.  Should we accept those who feel it is not right for them? We should more than accept them.

Scott Buscemi

Reference:

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=955764