Class Dismissed

The Essay “Class Dismissed” by Walter Kirn showcases a unique take on the senior year of high school, by getting rid of grade twelve and making grade eleven the senior year.  The topic of removing grade twelve was brought up because of an attempt to save money by the Utah government.  This argument is made by the essay showing examples of students that are just in grade twelve because they have to be.  most students are just waiting to go work after graduation, or have already been excepted into their university courses by January, thereby making the second half of the year completely useless.  The example of grade twelve students just waiting to graduate in order to work is true no matter which way you observe the situation, some students are just going to fill unskilled labor positions to get a paycheque.  To say that the other half of students have been accepted into university is a stretch of the truth, as some students wanting to attend university do need to maintain their grades to keep their acceptance.  This essay can be understood differently depending on your experience in high school.  If you had enjoyed your senior year then you probably took some interesting courses and electives and used your last year of free education well.  But if you did not enjoy school you probably were only there because you had to be, and were counting the days until graduation.  If you fell into the latter group, you are most likely in favor of the cost saving move to get rid of grade twelve, but if you enjoyed your high school career, then you are probably amazed that anyone could suggest something so drastic.  Both sides have an argument, and that is why at the end of the essay they suggest that grade twelve could be made optional.  This essay will probably not change anyone’s option, but rather just start the conversation about getting rid of grade twelve.