1. Overarching question: Did the CT legislature act in an appropriate manner when raising the mandatory school attendance age?
2. General discussion questions:
a. Describe school today, both in general and in terms of our school.
b. Why are we required to attend school historically?
c. What role do parents have in their child's education?
d. Can good parenting be legislated? According to Rep. Green this Act will require parents to be responsible for working with their children and will help them (parents) take more control at home. Rep. Tymniak agrees, maintaining that the Act will give parents a measure of control. Reactions?
e. Rep. Green also maintains that this Act is not about keeping disruptive kids in school, but a message that schools must try to reach all students. In contrast, Rep. Jarjura, while acknowledging the noble, considerate ideals behind the bill, believes that troublemakers take up time while the students there to learn are shortchanged. He further believes that while all children need to be helped, the silent majority who don't misbehave cannot be ignored. He questions the tremendous amount of money spent on those children who do not really want to be in school at all. He states that "schools have become an experiment zone instead of addressing basic skills." Discuss.
f. What role do students have in their own education?
g. Why might the CT State legislature have decided that it was necessary to increase the mandatory school attendance age?
h. Is this an appropriate use of governmental power?
i. Will it help or hurt our schools? Explain.
j. Why might this bill have been considered during the same legislative session as the civics requirement?