Assessment of K-to-12 graduates

THIS past March, the pioneer graduating batch of Senior High Students graduated. They were the first ones who experienced in this country the Senior High School strands or specializations also known as the two additional years of education to give time for learning about the strand or specialization of choice.

They will be the first ones who will get to college with enough experience and knowledge to get into the deeper topics related to the strand they chose.

However, it is not yet common that businesses will take a chance on hiring a high school graduate even if there is this fact that they are now educated to the standards of the rest of the world with the additional two years plus the experience they worked for through different creation of outputs and the lectures as well as national certification (for others) because they question things like maturity.

What is needed to cope with this harsh truth is make sure that the students learn about things like critical thinking, socialization, time management, and being organized and not just the skills related to the technical aspect of the strand or specialization that they chose.

These skills help employees with their longevity in the business because these things help them become efficient employees and the skills related to the attitude help make them more likable.

Also, students are more likely to be able to retain what they learned at the time they are asked to learn about the strand or specialization that they chose because of all the outputs they required of them which also includes the Senior High expo where they get to put what they learned into practice to strangers just like in the real world setup and the earlier experience in the workplace or business setting.

Before Senior High School started to exist, skilled individuals that did not require formal education such as carpenters and cooks learned through observation and practice.

Now, that observation and practice is being complemented by a more structured learning environment spearheaded by a teacher and the curriculum that varies by strand or specialization.

Add observation, constant practice, great effort on the part of the teachers and the students, and discussions that give students a glimpse of their future as these are based on what is happening in the actual workplace or business setup altogether and you get students who are ready for the workplace or for their pursuit of business at a younger age. ( Paid article)