Touchy?
I thought I was being the opposite and very patient.

The more I think of it, especially with this, most likely being in separate programs, the more I like the idea.
I just have a niggling in the back of my head about the older kids (who are going to be more troubled more often with these issues) being around the freshmen for extended periods.... but that could be worked-out.

Yeah, I would guess the would have this at a community college since the atmosphere at those are a lot different than at high school. I'm assuming classes at those colleges are more serious than ones at a regular high school and distractions wouldn't be the best in this situation either.

I think once you're at the point these kids are at, there are two scenarios:

1.) You're already relatively smart enough to survive in the real world--you know how to have a bank account, go grocery shopping, get a blue collar job and get yourself to work every day
2.) You are illiterate to some degree, your math skills are bad enough that you have a hard time calculating bus fare, and in general you are not capable of surviving on your own.

For the students in case 1, getting the degree is at best an exercise in pride of accomplishment. Which is fine, but really, if you're already smart enough to work as a cashier somewhere, just lie and put some high school on your application. No one will ever check it, ever. Maybe those English classes will improve your writing skills enough to get you to manager instead of cashier someday, but corporate training programs are usually also required and will be more directly helpful in the long run. A diploma in and of itself isn't going to help anything but your pride and honesty (which is reasonable, if that's the sort of thing you go for.)

In case 2, obviously your English and math skills need to be improved, but there are many other topics in high school which can probably be safely eliminated for you. There is simply no need for you to take chemistry, or geography, or fine arts. Your life options have already been sufficiently narrowed, and time would be better spent focusing only on the necessary skills. In which case, I think there should be a separate program for these students, with completely different goals than a typical high school diploma.

Hmm. I was forgetting you guys do it as a High School Diploma. When our kids get to that age they take GCSE (general certificate of secondary education) which can, and is, also offered at colleges for adults to take as many jobs and courses require a GCSE or equivalent.

Though the GCSE is 'secondary education' and more usually gained at secondary school, it is not assumed to be purely a children's qualification.

At some point, at the second year, I would feel that it would be better for a person to get a GED and move to the community college system.

ah, public schools, squeezing a four year education into 6,7, or 8 years. Beautiful progress.

I would say the opposite. Highschool is 3 years of material (if you're taking the full breadth of courses with stuff like calculus) stretched out into 4 and padded with useless filler. 4 years takes into account the fact that some students can't handle a busy work day yet.

My fourth year was all elective classes. I was done in my third year, and had electives there. I was not the best student in HS either.
My wife spend half of her third and all of her fourth year of HS in college.

My high school was 3 years.

Yeah, in DC, elementary school goes to grade six, junior high school goes to 9, and high school goes to 12.

My Aunt wrote me that my cousin's kid is starting 5th grade so he takes the Jr High bus now.... wtf?

I am only noticing because #1 it's hot and #2 I'm bored and #3 things like this I notice. I will try not to get my self in trouble bringing it up.
This is an observation.

I notice that quite often in your posts you will post your feelings. Then you will post your 'ideal'. Alot of times your working philosophy dealing with people seems to be at odds with your world philosophy. I kept reading your post thinking that the second paragraph would be a better statement softening your remarks of the first paragraph. They are incongruous and it's a common split of yours I see. Sorry, I'm an evil bitch. :)

My High School was 7 years. :)

Some kids who might need it are allowed to stay in school until the age of 21 to graduate.The kids that stay until 21 actually probably do need the attention and want it. The kids that don't want it or need it drop out and either become drug dealers or go onto better things.
It dosn't take much to graduate. Just showing up got me a diploma in my Junior year and I am not smart. SO allowing anyone the time if they want it is a good thing.