8th Grade Graduation?

Well this concept is foreign to me. The only graduations I know of are from pre school, from high school, and from college? Hmm learn something new everyday.

In Chicagoin the grades go from K-8th. So there was a graduation when you finished, but it was viewed as recognition of a transition. It was never viewed as the ultimate accomplishment. It should be celebrated not ridiculed.

Watched a newscaster interview parents of graduating 8th graders. A few parents said the reason they celebrated like a high school graduation was they might not see their child graduate high school. When my niece graduated kindergarten, one of her classmates took "senior pictures" at a photo studio, the parents had kindergarten graduation announcements printed and they rode to the graduation in a limo. I didn't understand either incident! I believe we need to parent our children and let them know what is expected of them. Passing 8th grade is just a stepping stone to graduating High School and College.

Couple nights back, our family attended a graduation ceremony for a boy who completed his pre-school course of study. He is on his way to kindergarten, with diploma in hand and much pride!

Ceremonies for children are esteem building events. These awards encourage children and teach children hard work and success lead to rewards in life. This is classic "positive reinforcement" for children. Besides, these graduation ceremonies are a lot of fun!

There are many ceremonies for children in many different ways; religion, culture, education, community service, scouts and other events. If we are to deny children this gift of recognition for achievement, we should also deny children birthday parties and Christmas celebrations.

Reads to me, Clay Cane, you do not much like children.

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation

Though this article PROVES how deficient a writer Clay Cane is,his antics may be his only saving grace; Cane recently wrote an article for a popular magazine telling everyone he loves Keith Boykin but that Boykin's readers are sad pathetic sissies with no life. And apparently Boykin agrees... Later when Boykin "retired" from his former website, who else but Clay Cane shows up at the final hour to let us know once again how much he loved and thanked Boykin for helping him build his career. Since that time, one shitty article after another penned by Cane has appeared along with his fuggly mugg right here on Boykin's new site, The Daily Voice. 8th grade graduations are not responsible for black kids not getting into college and a true journalist would have sought out the details as to why some graduates feel they may not get through high school. That would have been the meat and potatoes of the story, the unveiling of the harsh realties inner city black students face just trying to get through high school! That fact that Cane attended a white MIDDLE school is of no relevance. I love you Keith Boykin but this article is pure S&#T!.

I totally agree with this article. I was talking to one of my colleagues about the significance a 6th grade promotion at the elementary school I work at. I really don't understand it. However, I think we have it because many of the students won't graduate from High School...not to even mention college. And yes, I work in the inner city with a huge population of African Americans and Hispanics.