The Meaning of a Diploma

In class I read this article called “ In Praise of the F Word” by Mary Sherry. Mary shares her idea on the school system, how young people are just pasted thru the grading system. And when they are adults suffer and end up in programs like hers, adult literacy programs.  Mary argues that the child’s environment doesn't matter because most kids don't put school first unless something is in it for them. Giving them that failing grade can actually be that motivation. So Mary states that “this policy that worked in the past and can work today.”

One idea that grasped my attention in the article was Mary Sherry first sentence. “Tens and thousands of eighteen year olds will graduate this year and be handed meaningless diplomas”. I strongly disagree with this because I don't think a diploma is meaningless and in some cases are hard to achieve. A high school diploma has become a struggle to get. Especially if the child as a disadvantage like; problems at home, problems in the neighborhood, financial issues. All this can take a huge toll on the child's school life. I don't think adults realize how much of a challenge high school can be.

For some people in those tens and thousands of eighteen year olds they might be the first in their family generation to actually finish high school. My brother and I both finish high school, and both mother and father have a middle school education level. So for our family a high school diploma is great accomplishment, and the diploma has more worth than just a piece a paper. It is proof that of the American dream, to come to this county and do what our parents couldn't do living back in our country.

Based on living situations and the environment it may be harder for a kid to actually be successful in high school. It feels like getting an education in general is hard to get as you get older. In elementary school you are moved up levels based on if you can read and write at a certain level. In middle school you pass based on testing, attendance and conduct in school. And in high school you graduate based on attendance, testing, work, regents and having necessary amount of credits. As you can see the requirements of a high school diploma are more intense. Even though it has become harder to graduate my cousin Maria despite all odds is on track for graduation. Maria has a hard time studying because she has to babysit her 2 little brothers while her mom is at work. Sometimes when they get sick Maria has to miss school, her family can't afford a babysitter. But yet Maria is going to graduate June 2015 and is looking at colleges. She’s does not let her past determine what her future is to be. Despite all the obstacles she faced in high school and in her environment .Her graduation day will be another victory for our family.

In conclusion to say that a diploma is a meaningless piece of paper is wrong because like myself, people in my family and my peers take great pride in this successful moment. It means that we started something and was able to finish. Especially during the adolescent time where we are going thru changes and trying to find ourselves. What it takes to get a high school diploma is hard work, patience and dedication, and everybody with a high school diploma should have pride in their victory and should further their education