FREE ESSAY ON ABOLISHING MANDATORY ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOLS

ABOLISHING MANDATORY ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOLS

So that nobody has to go to school if they don't want to, by Roger Sipher states that
compulsory attendance laws should be abolished. His argument is that students that don't
wish to be in school are antagonistic to the school and prevent others form learning, and
therefore not be forced to attend school. There are six advantages. Although these six
advantages produce enormous dividends, there are still some major flaws with his plan. 
First flaw with the plan is where are the children going to go? The children can't just
run the streets not being able to even read or write. Therefore you need supervision, but
with supervision comes money. And there are not many people who would even take this
babysitting job because of the money. Money is the second big issue. The funds are just
not there to run a quality, high-tech school and pay the teachers.
Thirdly, can children of that age make a sound decision about something as important as
school? No, of course not. Children of this age just don't have enough experience with
life to make that important of a decision for their future. Another motive for children
not performing up to standards is the pressure. Maybe to much pressure is being put on
students to perform in this high-tech world. The emphasis as faded away from the basic
skills of reading and writing and arithmetic and has now focused on technology. The
pressure needs to be taken off the children at such a tender age in their 
lives. And be put back on what really matters. The students who chose to be antagonistic
can be sent to alternative schools such as Boot camps, Boys and Girls club, YMCA, and
other local programs and organizations. The problem here is not attendance; the problem
here is attitude. 
Although this plan has great features there is however an effect that is detrimental. The
ability to read, write, and even the basic arithmetic are skills that everyone NEEDS to
know. What in the world are you going to do with a kid that is in his twenty's and can't
perform these basic skills. This is not going to be good. Although Sipher's plan is a
very good idea, the cons outweigh the pros. This plan would solve many problems, but in
the long run it would create more.