index

A hybrid high school has its 11th and 12th grades more like self-study colleges. The advent of this capability comes from teenagers having or owning automobiles and from the ubiquitous use of the internet. Combining the two, a very high percentage of teenagers will have use of at least one of these resources.

Busses are not used for hybrid high schools. Dormitories, perhaps in nearby houses, would also be required to facilitate extreme cases where student's home life conditions are not conducive to studying.

Financially, hybrid high schools would cost less because many students would be doing self study work, not always needing teachers or classrooms.

But more importantly, hybrid high schools would be able to direct attention to the special needs of students -- those students that are likely to be heading for prison, as well as those likely to be headed to college, would have the academic freedom to study subjects of their interest and benefit.

Every year, Georgia spends over one billion dollars on prisons out of a 15 billion dollar budget. This does not include court costs, the youth system which at least is DFACS, juvenile court, and YDC, or the contributions of Federal dollars. And it gets worse every year.

I find this trend to be abhorrent, as I assume you do as well, not as a fiscal conservative, but as a person with at least a modicum of sense. The seeds of this pattern are far-reaching and varied but, unfortunately and undoubtedly, lie at least partially in our public schools where kids are made to march through class curriculum at the same pace regardless of ability, responsibility, or practicality leaving many of them feeling left behind, frustrated, and disgruntled.

The solution? Hybrid high schools, hybrid between high school and college. At age fourteen, when kids go to high school, they should be made to sit down with an advisor and list all that they want out of life and consequently out of school, where they are going in their career, and what exactly they hope to do between then and the time they retire.

The most important thing a student can have is a plan. A plan gives meaning to obstacles and successes and, thus, a purpose to life. With a logical, step-by-step plan, a student can feel empowered to take control of their life, to head in the academic direction they choose, and to thrive in a capitalist system rather than being herded like a member of a flock.

Hybrid schools can give students that control and, in turn, teach them to be responsible for themselves. Imagine a high school system in which kids can actually learn what they're interested in, what inspires them, and what causes them to be a serious competitor in capitalism. Not only that, but they can also learn at their own pace which will build their confidence for the work place.

For college-bound kids, this will mean that they can go through school at a much faster pace by taking online classes. Why should they spend four months in a class when they can learn the material and pass the tests in two or three weeks? If they show they can learn on their own, pass the tests they need to pass, they need not go to school at all.

Imagine high schools competing for the best students by specializing in various skills and trades. For vocational students, schools with special programs in auto-mechanics, computer technology, or nursing will give them a major head start in their technical college curriculum and their careers when compared to graduates from other states. There can also be classes that encourage them to go out and get a job, teaching them how to listen to a boss and get along with co-workers.

We could go so far as to put upper classmen dorms at high schools to eliminate busses and create an intellectual, academic environment. This reduces the use of busses which saves money.

These hybrid schools produce more adaptable and intelligent graduates, dramatically lower the drop-out rate, save tax-payer money through online classes and reduced classroom time, teach kids responsibility which they can use throughout their life, produce more college-ready graduates, and thus lower crime rates.