Font ResizeI agree with Sen. Chris Buttars' idea to eliminate one grade from public schools, but he picked the wrong grade. It makes more sense to eliminate the ninth grade than the 12th grade. Educators don't know what to do with ninth grade anyhow. Does it belong in high school or junior high? There is the everlasting argument about whether ninth-graders are mature enough to deal with high school, but they may be too mature to be with seventh- and eighth-graders. And how will ninth-graders get to high school when Buttars eliminates buses, since most are too young to drive?
So let's get rid of the most controversial grade. Not having ninth-graders in school would not only save a lot of money, but these students could use the year off to learn what it is like to work 40 hours a week for minimum wage, which might incline some to study more when they return to high school, raising the graduation rate. And they could save their money to buy the car they'll need to get to school since the buses will be gone.
Steve Rossi
Salt Lake City
