This week's guest columnist is Norman Wetterau, a physician who practices medicine in Nunda, New York. Dr. Wetterau's article originally appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on May 4, 1995. It is reprinted with that paper's permission.
Recent articles point out that European students study more and do much better on certain standardized exams than American students. During the past six years, my family has visited Germany twice and hosted three German exchange students for a year each. One major difference between the German and American educational systems ... is the way in which industry views the student's education and grades.
In Germany, each person always carries a card with his or her high school grades and must show it to employers during the job application process. High school grades are considered important in hiring, even if the person has been out of school for a number of years.
High school grades in the United States have almost no value except if the student is applying to certain selective colleges. Most employers hiring someone just out of high school do not ask to see a high school transcript or references from teachers. Generally, all that is checked is whom the student knows or where the student has worked.
Here's a typical scenario: Student A had a good school attendance record and a 90 average but had no job during high school. Student B worked at a fast-food chain, frequently missed school and had a 67 average, but a good recommendation from the 22-year-old assistant manager of that fast-food chain. Student B probably would get a better job or be admitted to an industrial training program more easily. As far as Student A goes, the employer would be unlikely to know what his or her grades were or to seek school recommendations. Students know this and so prefer to earn money and buy a car rather than study.
Grades are important in admission to certain selective colleges, but any student can get into some colleges regardless of his or her grades. I have known students with averages above 90 who were unable to attend college due to the cost. I also have known those who never studied, quit school, eventually got their GED, then received a full scholarship plus living expenses from the state. I am not saying we shouldn't help these students, but students who do well should also receive assistance.
In Germany, any student who graduates from a college preparatory high school (gymnasium) is able to attend college essentially tuition free. The gymnasium school is more demanding than the American high school, requiring many hours of study daily. But students know that if they master the work, they will be able to continue their education regardless of their financial situation and employers will always be aware of their level of competence.
American businesses say they want better schools, but their lack of involvement and the fact that they do not think grades matter undermines our schools. They say that grades do not determine who will do well on the job, but then they complain that American young people do not know math and cannot write. You cannot have it both ways. If you want math and writing skills, ask to see math and English grades.
I believe that American business has written off our high schools. The students realize this, so they have also written off their education. Why not play and enjoy yourself since it makes no difference anyway?
I recommend a meeting of business, industry and education leaders in our area. Let business and industry outline what they want the students to learn and how it will be measured. Then offer that program to those students who do not plan to attend college. In turn, our businesses and industries would agree to hire students based on how they have done in this program. Students would quickly get the idea that performance in high school counts, even if they do not go on to college.