It probably makes you feel like your administration cares when you can walk across stage completely casually and unrecognized. This teen will certainly have an edge on his competition when applying for college and/or employment. With graduation rates in Florida gradually on the rise, you have to wonder if it's because some kids have two diplomas!
Florida teen walks for graduation twice in high school prank
Smells Like: Florida , graduation , pranksObama Induced Sleep
Smells Like: graduation , Michigan , Obama
Despite President Obama's high status and inspirational words, he still managed to put one graduate asleep during his commencement speech at Kalamazoo High School.
Story/video:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/06/obama-cant-get-every-listener-fired-up/1
Clever cat earns ‘high school diploma’ online
Smells Like: animals , computers , Georgia , graduation
After years of simply chasing the cursor around on the monitor, little Oreo finally discovered how to earn a diploma. Nothing against online graduates, but employers might want to give a second thought to anyone with one of these degrees.
15 Students Denied Diplomas After Protest
Smells Like: California , graduation , protest , teachers
Story: 15 Students Denied Diplomas After Protest
The school withheld their diplomas because during the graduation ceremony they turned their backs on the school board president. This was in an effort to show their concern over teacher layoffs. Ready for the kicker??? IT WAS AN 8TH GRADE GRADUATION! I didn't even know eighth graders needed diplomas! Well, hopefully they can still get into high school.
Hundreds barred from SoCal high school graduation due to phony ticket scam
Smells Like: California , graduation , parents , pranks
Tickets to high school graduation are hot items in some places. They are in such demand at Kennedy High in LA that attendees are forced to bootleg them and make their own. So the good and honest parents of many of these children did not get to see their kids graduate because the fake ticket-holders filled up all the seats first. I wonder if you can get away with this the next time the Eagles reunion tour comes through town?
Diploma Denied To Student Who Bowed, Blew Kiss To Family
Smells Like: graduation , Oregon , parents , policy , rights
Some schools are looking for any reason possible to punish students. After "showboating" and blowing a kiss to the audience, this boy was asked to exit stage left, no diploma in hand. This story just about epitomizes what is wrong with our schools. Too much power given to the wrong people who would rather strip the rights of children than see them succeed. Way to leave a positive final memory of high school!
Kanye West holds concert for improving students
Smells Like: grades , graduation , Illinois , inspiration
(Image from Kanye's LAX airport fight, which lead to his arrest)There's no one more inspiring than someone who boastfully named his album "College Dropout." Although Kanye has had his fair share of legal problems, hopefully he can be the answer to ending Chicago's education woes. It's not that the students don't want to graduate, it's just that many of them get shot before they have the chance. So listen kids, stay in school and one day you'll be fortunate enough to spend thousands of dollars on designer shirts and shoes.
Ohio grads told to 'leave the state'
Smells Like: graduation , idiocy , Ohio
Story: Ohio grads told to 'leave the state'
A note went home to the seniors advising them that immediately after their ceremony they had to leave the state. Either this is Ohio's big plan to decrease its unemployment rate, or Jeff Probst is hosting the graduation.
90-year-old woman gets high school diploma
Smells Like: gold star , graduation , Illinois
Who said Chicago has problems graduating its students?! She dropped out of high school during the Great Depression. Now that she has her high school diploma...good luck finding a job in this current economy! Oh, the irony.
Centerburg High School cancels graduation amid cheating scandal
Smells Like: cheating , graduation , Ohio , tests , trouble
Stop the press! No one walks this carpet until they figure out how more than half of the students got ahold of the answers to one of their exams. In the big picture, this social studies test really means nothing. But the superintendent needs to prove a point that this won't be tolerated. Oh well, I am sure these students have already planned on utilizing these cheating skills in college and aren't too worried about it.
Recession hits high school seniors' choices
Smells Like: economy , grades , graduation , Oregon
I stopped reading this article before I even got to the first sentence. The caption under the photo caught my attention when I read that this particular high school graduated 13 valedictorians this year. After doing some research, I learned that this is actually a growing trend in the US (one school in Florida actually has 18 valedictorians for 2009). Every definition I could find describes the valedictorian as a singular person who ranks first in their class and gives a commencement speech. Schools are now honoring anyone who receives straight A's in all four years with the title of "valedictorian." (Which also means a few minutes behind the mic for each) So maybe this is part of the problem. Giving all these seniors false hope that they are "the best" might actually set them up for failure when Harvard and Yale turn down their scholarship applications. #1 doesn't really mean that much when you're tied with over a dozen other people.
Lakeland honors student banned from graduation ceremony
Smells Like: attendance , Florida , graduation , policy
The senior has had problems getting to his graduation rehearsals. And Rules are Rules. Because of his lack of commitment to rehearsing, he can kiss his ceremonies good bye. Hopefully he can watch from home on TV. Hey buddy, it's not that memorable, so don't lose sleep over it.
Elmbrook Schools Sued over Graduations at Elmbrook Church
Smells Like: bible , graduation , protest , religion , wisconsin
Story: Elmbrook Schools Sued over Graduations at Elmbrook Church
For nine years, graduation has been at the same church. All of a sudden the church-state argument strikes home with some people. In a related note, some parents of unathletic students in nearby schools are protesting that their graduation be moved from local civic arenas.
A Colorado school district does away with grade levels
Smells Like: Colorado , grades , graduation , reform
Interesting concept. The students will no longer be placed in a k-12 grade level. Instead they will create their own lessons, and once they are comfortable with the material, they advance. I suppose the only downside is that when a child moves to a new town, the parent will have no clue what grade to place him/her in. That, and the fact we all know there will be 12-year olds still stuck grinding their wheels at a 3rd grade competency.
School failure harder on girls than boys
Smells Like: grades , graduation , k12 , research
I think this was based on a previous study that determined "everything is emotionally harder on girls than boys." The research basically states that when girls fail or get in trouble in school, they are more likely to become depressed. Really!!! That's what ice cream, malls, and Sex and the City are for. I am glad we are wasting money to get to the bottom of this pressing issue in education.
Patton Oswalt’s Brilliant, Politically Incorrect, Graduation Speech
Smells Like: comedian , graduation , inspiration , Virginia
What starts off as some hack comedian appealing to kids with cussing and pot jokes, actually turns into a decent message. The C-list actor, and claim to fame of Broad Run High School, attempts to inspire the seniors by reminding them that the future is theirs to take a hold of. Encouraging them to get out and do some different things, and make the best of their experiences. Comparing this to the keynote speaker at my graduation...the entire audience of several thousands zoned out when he opened by introducing us by the wrong year. Just goes to show what a little creativity can do.
1 in 4 California high school students drop out
Smells Like: California , grades , graduation
Story: 1 in 4 California high school students dropped out in 2006-2007
This statistic needs to be below 10%. Other countries around the world are laughing at what a disgrace our education system has become. The problem is not just in California, but apparently the percentage of children who feel that not being in school is their best option is increasing at an out of control rate. So I guess the question remains, what are we doing to keep them in our schools?
Man dressed as penis disrupts graduation
Smells Like: graduation , New York , pranks
Story: Man dressed as penis disrupts graduation
You have schools that lock out people from getting into the graduation, but somehow a guy in a huge penis outfit gets through security at this one. It was later rumored he was chasing after a girl dressed as a big vagina, but they found her in the bathroom crying about something.
Teen shot outside high school graduation
Smells Like: graduation , guns , Pennsylvania , safety , violence
Story: Teen shot outside high school graduation
Since it was after graduation, the principal doesn't have to chalk this up to school violence. So they're off the hook. Instead, it becomes a city issue of teen violence. Maybe someday everyone can join minds and figure out how to prevent this from happening again.
Parents locked out of graduation
Smells Like: Florida , graduation , idiocy , parents , weird
Story: Lockout upsets grads' families
It's ok though, they provided TV screens to watch the ceremony on. What a way to thank parents for all their support over the years...by not allowing them to watch their son/daughter walk the isle on graduation day. The school also has future plans to make sure that relatives are prevented from attending weddings as well. And though the logistics aren't final, they also don't want any of their graduates or their families to witness the birth of their first born children.
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