[Caz]

I think it’s an interesting idea.

Presumably the pupils who this would apply to, have been failed one way or another, either by the education system not recognizing their needs early enough, or through lack of parental support.

Having been at college recently, I came across quite a few young students who failed miserably at school for one reason or another. They then chose a career course and returned to further their basic education.

I also came across kids there who were still of school age. All boys I might add, although this isn’t necessarily always the case, who had been taken out of the school situation for behaviour reasons. They were at college for the basics, as this was the only option left.

A lot of these lads flourished in the college environment, and passed exams they would not have done at school.

Virtually everything a child does from starting school to leaving is now kept on school records.
If these kids were given the option of training schemes with study included, and showed a marked improvement during their studies, this could only be a bonus, and would look better on their educational records than simply constant truanting.

As littlemo says, they should not be classed as high school dropouts, but following a different route to qualifications.

We know there are some who won’t be helped no matter what the education system does, but a large percentage of kids are crying out for some direction in life.

There is always the other side of it too, that kids who are doing well at school are missing out, because resources are being used to keep disruptive, unwilling pupils at school, & countless teaching hours wasted on the same.