One smart young lady.

[markbark]

Valedictorian Speaks Out Against Schooling in Graduation Speech

Last month, Erica Goldson graduated as valedictorian of Coxsackie-Athens High School. Instead of using her graduation speech to celebrate the triumph of her victory, the school, and the teachers that made it happen, she channeled her inner Ivan Illich and de-constructed the logic of a valedictorian and the whole educational system.

One tiny glimmer of hope that some in the newest generation actually get it.
Her speech in its entirety

[bluestateguy]

1. I remember my high school valedictorian

Spent the whole speech congratulating himself and his achievements and nothing but a token acknowledgment of the rest of the graduating class. It was all "Me, Me, Me".

[TBF]

2. Great speech - it gives me hope in our future. nt

[daleanime]

3. Nothing 'tiny'...

about that light! Wish I could have been there to watch.:evilgrin:

[Obamanaut]

4. More discussion here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8895608

[Odin2005]

5. I like this gal! She is totally right.

[Morning Dew]

6. I went to a graduation in May where there were 7 Valedictorians

They each got about 4 minutes to speak and one spent her entire time talking about Jesus.

[1monster]

8. My son's graduating class didn't have a valedictorian. While two of the Suma Cum Laude students

spoke, they were given the topic and only a minute or two. The main student speaker was the Senior Class President.... His speech was not bad and not the usual graduation "footsteps" subject. A major highlight of his speech was talking about the senior prank that he and three of his buddies pulled off (dismantling a school golf cart and remantling the same into the school court yard -- it was clever and harmless).

The young lady makes a valid point. The only thing that matters in Florida schools is the FCAT score. Teachers and schools only get to be creative and actually TEACH is after the FCATS in March. Up until then, they have to teach the test. FCATS are given through eleventh grade. Only in the senior year do all of the teachers get to be creative in their teaching efforts. Even then, there are certain assignments that are required by the state which can cause an otherwise passing student to fail to receive his/her diploma if the assingment is not done or done poorly.

[AngryOldDem]

7. I sent this to my daughter, an education major.

She had the system figured out by the time she was a freshman in high school, which is why she wants to be a teacher -- to do the things this girl wants the educational system to accomplish.

[maryf]

9. Kick to keep this alive

Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

thanks!!