Some opponents of a stronger high school core curriculum have claimed it would increase dropouts, be too difficult for many students to master, override local control and diminish resources for elective classes. There are ways to address their objections if they will stop rejecting all reform out of hand and start working for what is good for our young people. If it takes reasonable funding to increase learning, let's spend it. If it means some changes in scheduling, let's do it. This is too important for some of these school administrators to just throw up their hands and complain that it might be hard, so we can't do it.
Many students get lazy and just do what it takes to get by.
The Governor also cited the experience of El Reno Public Schools, which implemented the 4 by 4 four years ago and has recorded declining dropout rates. He offered suggestions for programs that would help deter more students from dropping out, including more alternative school programs, increased summer and Saturday school programs for students who fall behind and stronger in-school tutoring programs. This proposal is not a new mandate, it merely increases the existing one. But there must be some minimal mandates which set high standards for all students, and among them the most important deal with learning. . . . Special education students are who currently exempted from some curriculum standards would also be exempted from the ACT core or the 4 by 4.