By Sharon Ko
SALEM, Ore. -- A new bill passed by the Oregon House is designed to get Oregon students thinking about the future.
House Bill 2732 would require students to submit a college or Armed Forces application or attend an orientation related to an apprenticeship or training opportunity in order to get their high school diploma.
"It's not about telling someone what is right for them but helping them make sure they're considering the choices and taking a step towards an option that's right for them," said Tobias Read, D-Beaverton.
Critics of the bill might say this requirement would be an obstacle because it costs money to apply to some schools. For example, it costs $50 to submit an application to an Oregon University System school, but deferrals may be granted in some cases.
Read says there's a solution. Portland Community College has no fee with its application.
Some parents think the bill is telling children what to do. They say any decisions about the future should be made by families and not by schools.
"I don't think it's the job of the schools to force kids to think about their future. It's the job of the schools to teach the kids to be successful in their future," said Kevin Taggart, parent.
Some high school students say it's a good idea but they're not sure if it'll help them or even their friends to graduate.
"It's nothing against the teens today or the people I'm around, but it seems like we're less motivated and if you put another requirement on us to graduate, would it really help the numbers go up or would it go down," said Jessica Cugley.
"It'd help me, but not more than the senior projects that we do this year, which is study a job and figure out if we want to do that when we grow up," said Mark Mountainspring.
But students in rural areas don't often have the option of senior projects or parents to help them plan a future.
"There's so many kids I know that parents aren't involved, you know? At least out in our own community. There's a lot of kids struggling on their own. They're worried about tomorrow. So, to help them learn about their future and have jobs later on would be a good idea," said Gina Tilton.
The bill passed in House with 33 votes and is headed to the Oregon Senate.
Comments
get real
I don't know about other public high schools, but School District 4J has a 2 tiered graduation system, one allows for a student to have enough credits to graduate, and another gives a student enough credits to enter college.
Also private schools are not likely subject to these kinds of rules.
I find it offensive that there would be a graduation requirement option, to fill out an application for the armed forces. Any male student wanting any kind of financial aid for college is required to sign up w selective service. As soon as your child turns 18, that selective service application arrives in the mail.
If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. What is the penalty for not registering?
Failure to register is a violation of the Military Selective Service Act. Conviction for such a violation may result in imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of not more than $250,000.
Make no mistake- registering for selective service is NOT the same as applying to the Armed Services.
The military solicitations will start to arrive when your child is 15 years old even if you sign the "do not solicit" card @ the high school. If all that is not bad enough, high schools allow military recruiters to roam the halls or sometimes address captive audiences in classrooms during class time. The military services are predatory on young kids in high school.
If the Oregon legislature wants to " help ensure students are thinking about their future as they leave high school.", why not make sure they have college funding & jobs?
They never did answer the question Cindy Sheehan asked years ago when her son was killed in Iraq- "What is the Noble Cause?"
My God. Look at how bad the
My God. Look at how bad the economy is and this is all these MORONS have to do on the TAX PAYERS money. Lay everyone of these MORONS off if that's all they've got to do.
another law...
I hope this bill is not passed! The government cannot take the place of parents...