Expulsion not an effective deterrent

Thomas Jones, Las Vegas

Thursday, April 17, 2008 | 2:02 a.m.

In response to the article in Monday’s Las Vegas Sun “Expelled, but not out”:

I believe this problem of students’ being recommended for expulsion could be reduced considerably. Because expulsion is not really a deterrent for students anymore, I suggest that a high school diploma should be a requirement for obtaining a state driver’s license. Any person under the age of 21 who doesn’t have a high school diploma should not be eligible for a driver’s license or welfare, even if he has a child.

This would accomplish two things. First, it would make the parents more concerned about having their children graduate because they may become a financial burden on them. Second, the children would have a reason to stay in school and graduate because all children want a driver’s license as soon as possible.

It would also provide the schools with a means of disciplining students. Expulsion would be a real punishment instead of a reward.

Another problem with schools and the failure or expulsion rate is that schools are not failing students who do not do passing work. Then when they get to the upper grades, the students are not equipped to do the work and they are overwhelmed.

Schools must start to grade using a percentage of correct answers and anything under 70 percent fails. Then stick to this yardstick. They must stop promoting students who do not know the material.