It is probably only natural for young people to take their high school education for granted.
They do not realize that the chance to progress this far in school was not available or mandated for young people only a few generations ago, and it is still denied to people in other parts of the world. Without this perspective, young people may not realize how special it is that most people in the US do get a chance to finish high school.
Sometimes these kids even bring up examples of their parents or grandparents who managed to make a living and raise a family without finishing high school. It is true, but it might be harder to find an older person who does not regret finishing school. It was also a different time when many people had to leave school to help support their families or themselves. Back in those days, employers did not judge school dropouts the same way.
There Are Still High School Graduation Obstacles Today
This is not to say that it is still hard for some students to earn enough high school credits to graduate. Some kids may come from families with economic or health problems, or the kids may have learning issues that makes it tough to pass those classes. In some areas, these social issues are very well tackled. But, sad to say, they are not addressed as well everywhere.
Still, there are alternative ways to take high school courses today that were not available a decade or a generation ago.
High school classes online: Students can find online programs that will enable them to complete their coursework on their own schedule. Many of these are accredited by the state, so the student can still earn a diploma just as if he or she had stayed in school.
Public alternative schools: Many school districts have set up smaller alternative high schools to aid in addressing the needs of kids who have trouble graduating any other way.
Charter schools: These are not exactly private schools, but they are still chartered by the state. Most of them have a free tuition, and they may have flexible class schedules. This enables students to hold a job or attend to other family responsibility while still enjoying classes and finishing an education.
Private schools: Some kids do better in private schools, but they can get expensive. However, most good private schools have programs to help kids pay if they have economic difficulties. Don’t just eliminate the idea of using a private school for high school classes because you believe it will cost too much.
Advantages of a High School Education
If you ever want to continue on to college or trade school, most require a high school completion of some kind. It might seem like that is not something you want for yourself now, but you may change as you mature and experience more. However, the thought of continuing your education should not be the only encouragement for completed high school courses.
At work, the lack of a diploma may keep you from advancement in a variety of different ways. Even if your boss says he does not care if you can show him a diploma, he might prefer to promote somebody who took the time to broaden proper match and grammar skills. Also, learning about science and history can help you make better decisions in your own life when you vote or try to manage a variety of situations.
The significance of a high school education cannot be overstated, and you are in a lucky generation with lots of opportunities to pursue your education. Don’t blow it.