Joe asks:
1) Do you believe the word diploma automatically implies an underlying
evaluation of the student?
My answer: yes, but I accept that in some cases it does not. However, when
presenting oneself to an institution of higher education and/or an employer,
explaining what went into earning that diploma has worked wonders for many
ex-SVS students.
I repeat: it is not HAVING the diploma. It is how it was gotten that helps
so much when an ex-SVS'er is trying out his/her wings in the great wide
world. People are usually darned impressed that (1) writing a thesis was
part of it; (2) that it was a totally individual process, not a mass one; (3)
that no one has to do it in order to leave a Sudbury school with the full
respect of the school; (4) that the thesis had to be defended before a large
group of peers, faculty, and parents who don't know the defendee before a
vote was taken; (5) that it was not an automatic result of passing a certain
number of courses that are laid out for you; (6) that THINKING was part of
the graduation process. Etc.
So, when choosing to present a diploma to anyone who asks for it after a
minimum attendance requirement, you cheapen that institution's diploma, not
the diplomas of other institutions. It all has to do with how the student
explains it later. Otherwise, probably a GED would be more valuable.
Mimsy
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