High school entrance exams/remedial years (kindergarten, grade, classroom, major)

[jmgg]

In another thread a mention was made about the possibility of students having to take an entrance exam prior to entering high school. If they failed the exam, they would need to take a remedial extra year of school preparing them for the exam and for high school.

In the school my kids attended they actually had what was called "Junior First Grade" which was an extra year between Kindergarten and First Grade for kids that were a little behind or just too immature to sit down and study. I thought it was a wonderful program as it helped my son tremendously at the time.

What's your thoughts?

I find this idea intriguing. I posted the following in the other thread as some ideas along this possibility:


Quote from Ivory Tickler:
I also think we need entrance exams for high school. If you're going to judge schools based on their 4 year graduation rate, you need a gate keeper to keep kids out who aren't ready yet. There should be a remediation year for anyone who can't pass the entrance exam.

My Response:
THIS would be one of the most effective ways of improving education. After having the opportunity to take the entrance exam maybe 2 times to pass, a student would have to take an extra year of school to prepare them for high school. It would put pressure where it belongs, on the student. If they weren't serious about school to this point, having to take an extra year would get the attention of the majority of these students. Many students would now be entering high school with a whole better attitude.

Also, if a student fails the entrance exam, quitting school will not be an option until they pass the exam or reach the age of at least 17. These students finishing 8th grade would be 14 or 15 years of age. Keeping mandatory school for all children until at least 17 years of age gives them every chance for some success. If at this point they are a drag on the school system and won't make any attempt to learn, let them quit. At least the opportunity to get an education was handed to them.

A final tweak to this entrance exam would be, after the year of remediation and the student still failing the exam, a technical school option should be given to the student. This student is obviously not classroom material and may have some aptitude in something else. This technical education could be shared equally by many school districts working together to maintain the physical location and fund this alternative school.