Why exactly do you have to go to 12 years of school before college?

[ironk]

I am wondering as to who came up with that? 12 years is a long time, and why is it that everyone has to do this before college? What if we went 11 years, would that make any real difference? Did a bunch of people sit down and say "hey, 12 sounds like a good number, lets do that?".

I think its again, all about money. Think about it: Ever wonder why most public schools don't have a dress code? Well, guess who makes all the money when you go out and buy clothes...thats right, all the stores in the mall. They get rich for 12 years off of you. Then there are all those "back to school" supplies you have to buy every year for 12 years for each person.

Obviously, you can just drop out, and do a test (I forget the name of it) to get a equivalent of a diploma. However, for the vast majority, this is not an option.

What do you all think? Am I too far off here?

 

[z0mb13]

judging from your rambling, I would say 12 years is not enough. 20 maybe.

 

[Lonyo]

Yes.
If there were school uniforms, then clothing companies would jack up the prices and limit the number of suppliers so they could charge you loads for your uniform.
And you would STILL be buying those toher clothes, because (well, most people at least) tend to wear clothes outside of school.

And since most people seem to fail to get a decent education in 12 years, do you really think a shorter time in education would benefit the majority of society?

 

[ironk]

And since most people seem to fail to get a decent education in 12 years, do you really think a shorter time in education would benefit the majority of society?

Well, that depends on the quality of it, right? Quality over quantity? I have been to many public schools before going to college, and I can tell you this: They are not created equal. They vary greatly...for example, I went to public schools in Newton, MA and actually found them harder than when I went to college. For some reason, Newton schools have a rediculous curiculum, and a B- there is like a A+ in other "normal" public schools.

And you would STILL be buying those toher clothes, because (well, most people at least) tend to wear clothes outside of school.

True, however, I think people buy far more clothes when going to a place like school for 5 days a week. Plus you have to include sports apparel as well.

judging from your rambling, I would say 12 years is not enough. 20 maybe.

very funny.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: ironk
and actually found them harder than when I went to college

YOU went to college? Based on the original post in this thread, I was guessing you were in 9th grade. What college? What major?

 

[bignateyk]

People graduate highschool a year or two early all the time...

Most people aren't mature enough to go to college much earlier than that. Those that are generally do.

 

[Injury]

Be happy you get a summer vacation. Lots of people don't.


Do we REALLY need more people unqualified for 95% of the jobs out there leaching off of society?

 

[acegazda]

well, religious people are into the number 12 because is represents the 12 tribes of isreal. Then there were 12 apostles and many other things that the number 12 was symbolic in. This could be some crazy extension of that... that's the only thing I can think of that isn't completely arbitrary.

EDIT: other than maybe they experimented with the length of schooling to find what number of years would make the smartest children and after much testing, they came up with 12.

 

[Funyuns101]

you don't have to go to school for 12 years like bignateyk said.
if you're smart and/or ready: you graduate early and go to college~

 

[krunchykrome]

How old are you?

 

[dustmann]

Going to school for 12 years puts you at ~18 years old by the time you graduate. Then you are 'legally' old enough to make your own decision on whether or not to go to college and whether or not you can pay off that 80k in student loans for the rest of your life.

BTW - That test is the GED (General Education Development I believe)

 

[sdifox]

Ever seen the kind of shit some college people pull? Imagine a younger crowd and you'll have complete mayhem.

 

[dbk]

I went for 11 yrs.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Ever seen the kind of shit some college people pull? Imagine a younger crowd and you'll have complete mayhem.

I agree. Being a senior and looking at freshman now....wow I can't imagine what it would be like. Also think about how many times people would get introuble for jail bait!

I know a few kids that skipped grades and were in college at 16. Lets just say they were not well adjusted, accepted, or really anything but smart.

 

[HammerCurl]

How about: no one has come up with anything better. If you're that much "smarter" you skip grades, college earlier or whatever. Dumber, you're held back. Probably because school was fine when I went through, theres way bigger fish to fry afterwards. Also, do you see a point to changing 12 to 11? It'll just be an odd adjustment people up even if it doesnt make that big a difference knowledgewise. Everyone needs clothes, do you think kids that are homeschooled spend any less money than public school people, seriously WTF ?

 

[Mxylplyx]

Because even after 12 years of schooling, most still enter college with the maturity of a kid. And for those that are now entering college who disagree, just wait 5-6 years when you can look back on yourself, and you'll agree. You still have ALOT of growing up to do.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Mxylplyx
Because even after 12 years of schooling, most still enter college with the maturity of a kid. And for those that are now entering college who disagree, just wait 5-6 years when you can look back on yourself, and you'll agree. You still have ALOT of growing up to do.

I for one was not prepared at all for college, and I ended up graduating late. The maturity was not there upon entering college. I know this does not apply to everyone, but it does apply to many. I dont think a few more years of school on top of the 12 would have hurt me at all; if anything, it would have prepared me better.

 

[overst33r]

Simple answer: Maturity.

Consider the population as a whole...

 

[nakedfrog]

Did you just stop buying clothes when you graduated from high school?
FWIW, I don't go on a spree and buy the kids new clothes just because it's a new school year. They get new clothes as necessary throughout the year.

 

[AmpedSilence]

maturity is a cop-out excuse.

society determines when you should be "mature" I guess it goes back to that 18 is when you are "responsible." What magically happens when you turn 18 other than you are legally recognized as adult. I am sure most people don't automatically start making "adult" decisions just because the law recognizes them as adults. While others have been making "adult" decisions for some time before they turn 18.

The 12 years is probably abritary.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Mxylplyx
Because even after 12 years of schooling, most still enter college with the maturity of a kid. And for those that are now entering college who disagree, just wait 5-6 years when you can look back on yourself, and you'll agree. You still have ALOT of growing up to do.

I for one was not prepared at all for college, and I ended up graduating late. The maturity was not there upon entering college. I know this does not apply to everyone, but it does apply to many. I dont think a few more years of school on top of the 12 would have hurt me at all; if anything, it would have prepared me better.

I wasn't prepared for college either and I got the grades to "show" for it. However, I think college was the swift kick in the as* I needed. Started growing up more and doing things on my own, figuring things out for the past 3 years after college started. Think I was on cruise control all through elementary/secondary school, and a few more years in highschool wouldn't have done anything.

 

[Modelworks]

Home schooling doesn't follow the 12 years before college method.

 

[jdini76]

I think it has to do with age. After twelve years of school you are 18 or just about to turn. Therefore you are an adult and fully educated and can then join the army. College is not mandatory.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: jdini76
I think it has to do with age. After twelve years of school you are 18 or just about to turn. Therefore you are an adult and fully educated and can then join the army. College is not mandatory.

So you are saying it is because of the law. No one can say when someone is an adult. 18 is just what is accepted in our society. In other societies it is much sooner.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: AmpedSilence
maturity is a cop-out excuse.

society determines when you should be "mature" I guess it goes back to that 18 is when you are "responsible." What magically happens when you turn 18 other than you are legally recognized as adult. I am sure most people don't automatically start making "adult" decisions just because the law recognizes them as adults. While others have been making "adult" decisions for some time before they turn 18.

The 12 years is probably abritary.

yeah, 18 is pretty arbitrary, most people don't start making adult decisions till around 24 or 25