Current Connection 2.1

Recently Batesville High School held an assembly in response to the problem all schools encounter "Bullying." A mission group entitled "Rachel's Challenge" hosted the assembly, telling the tale of a girl with a vision, a girl who never had the chance to see that vision fulfilled. Rachel Joy Scott was the first student to be murdered in the Columbine High Shooting. Thought her death and all those who died in the shooting were tragic, they sparked a chain reaction that could leave a positive echo on future generations.

All Rachel wanted was change. This inspiring soul felt that kindness has the same ripple effect as negativity. In an essay, she wrote “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” Rachel, a girl with beautiful intrinsic qualities, a firm believer in the good that everyone is capable, saw that people can accomplish great acts of compassion; furthermore, how these acts of compassion influenced others. Determined to enlighten the world she demonstrated her theory by living by it. In believing in the possibilities that the power of many could do the impossible, she paved a path to a new future.

With her hammer of a heart Rachel cracks away the stone that encases the hearts of so many. Found in one of Rachel's personal journals was a quote, Rachel's personal anthem, "I will not be labeled as average." An inspirational message, calling to the protector in all of us, compels us to step out of the shadows and stand firm for what's right. To not "be labeled as average" means becoming the best version of yourself because, we are all extraordinary, we just let external factors dim the light of our compassion.

Everyone should aspire to be like Rachel, finding herself and discovering the light in others, to step up and find yourself and begin changing the world. In Rachel's essay, she wrote a quote that applies to all, "I admire those who trust and are trustworthy." Don't you respect people who are trustworthy? Think of a person that you trust and how important that person is to you. People need to trust and become trustworthy in order to feel like they have a reason to be compassionate. Being a trustworthy person is respectable no matter who you are. When you finally dicide to be your true self, people will notice and emulate your actions.

Rachel Joy Scott, facing her own demons, was a leader. Her story is going to change the lives of the students of Batesville High School, for she has changed mine. We all have the tools to build a better future, we just didn't know what they were or how to use them. Rachel has brought them to our attention and written a manual. By living by Rachel's theory of compassion we can change the world.

The world is ready for this change and needs it desperately. Rachel was the first domino, the chain reaction has begun.

                                                  

Work Cited

"Rachel's Challenge Mission." Mission. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
      <http://www.rachelschallenge.org/big-picture/about-rachels-
      challenge/mission/>.
                                                  

Current Connection 1.2

     The article, Lloyd Blankfien Education Expert? NBC News Thinks the Goldman Sachs CEO is One, by J. Max Robins, sheds some light on the motives behind NBC News series "Education Nation". Robins discusses whether if NBC News series "Education Nation" is more of a marketing ploy or an education reform. Mr. Robins finds that "Education Nation" happens to be completely biased and run by people who are more interested in making a quick dollar, than investing in the future of education.

      As a student, growing up in a working class family, "Education Nation," could be financially impractical. Stated in the article, "The takeaway is that NBC News is being used as a stalking horse for the privatization and monetization of education,” says Andrew Tyndall." If education became "privatized", the unintentional, yet highly probable reality, could cripple struggling families. The whole point of a public education is to provide all students with a quality education regardless of their financial status; however, those with money to spare do not think to consider the families that are not as well off as themselves.

     This new "education" campaign, an elaborate ploy, happens to be as transparent as still water. With objectives clearly outlined by the article, "NBC Nightly News" may have done more education segments than its competitors, however the focus of its coverage, ... was dominated by stories on charter schools and federal legislation..." By using NBC as the "stalking horse" of the Education Nation, the "bigwigs" of the movement have the peoples attention, but Americans are not naive enough to ignore the consequences of such a ridiculous piece of legislation. The "Education Nation" will only be helpful to a very small portion of the "real" nation. What will be left for the future, if only a tenth of the nation is able to afford and education under the so called "Education Nation"?

     In spite of the exhaustive advertising efforts of NBC, America for the most part knows the value of public education. The article relieved, "In the main, this was an initiative dominated by "CEOs and anti-public education governors" who are big on discriminatory standardized tests, charter schools and increasing privatization of our education system." There are very few in support of this legislation, due to the fact that America relies heavily on the public education system. Most of American civilians are working middle class or living in poverty; public education will be these civilians doorway to a brighter future.
   
     Government officials seem to be too preoccupied with grasping at money to pay attention to the consequences of their actions. Think about the world if "Education Nation" were in effect. Economic strain on middle class families would be a harsh reality, especially in the for the families with more than one child. Then the rise of drop outs would rise steeply, perhaps not from the students disinterest in furthering his/her education, but from their parents inability to pay tuition or the student drops out to help pay for their siblings education (s).

     Privatizing education would exclude those who, for the time being, have the opportunity to get an education without drowning their family in tuition costs; that, sadly, happens to be what college is for.
   
   

Current Connection:1.1

     In an eye opening article titled, AP tests, 'early college': High school students get a head start, by Jon Marcus, the public is informed about concurrent credit classes and institutes whose goals are centered around smoothing the transition into college life. Jon Marcus ardently purposes that enrolling your child or becoming enrolled in AP or "early college" schools are amazing deals, not to be passed up.

     The intention of AP classes and "early college" are more than just to raise eyebrows on college applications. As emphasized by the article "Bahiya Nasuuna hasn't even started college, but she already has several academic credits in the bank that will give her a jump on graduation." A smart student, Bahiya Nasuuna has thought ahead for her career. She will most likely finish her chosen degree a year ahead of track, saving her big money.

     As time goes by, entrance into a good college becomes more of a challenge than it was the year before. Many are catching on to the trend of taking AP courses in high school to obtain college credit. To be more precise on how popular the trend has become, the article expels "Some 1.3 million students took classes for university credit before completing high school during the 2010-2011 academic year, up 67% since 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Education." As the topic of earning concurrent credit reaches its way to students and parents, the growth of concurrent credit course takers will continue to increase. A worry of mine, when concurrent credit becomes the norm, how will that give anyone a leg up on competition?

     A positive, no matter how the situation happens to be seen, concurrent credit can most certainly eliminate the necessity of taking certain courses in college! In short, you can earn your degree faster than other students and save a pretty penny too. As mentioned in the article, "But whether they end up going to a four-year university or a community college, these high school students are smart enough to know they're saving themselves and their families a lot of money." Many of the books and supplies are paid for by the school district when it comes to AP courses. Be smart and take the hidden money, that's what AP courses are in the long run.

     Dual-Enrollment courses show more than just college credit. As stated by the article, "But there's also evidence that exposing high school students to the challenges of college-level work can increase their eventual likelihood of success." Colleges are likely to choose students who have shown that they could handle college-level work at young ages. This shows that you have promise in completing your programs and colleges are looking for committed students.

     As a student who participates in dual-enrollment courses, I am certainly looking forward to the benefits of my hard work. Hopefully the steps that I have taken to potentially give me an advantage over my competitors, will be evident in the eyes of the colleges that I apply to. The perks of partaking in these type of courses not only gave me an advantage, but eliminate me from paying to take the courses again in college, saving me time and money. 

     

     The more work you do now, can save you from doing it in the future at a cost. When you are debating whether or not AP courses are worth your time, just think "Should I take the course now or wait and pay to take the same course later?"