8/27 - Gordon Adam's Petition

Gordon Adam’s case is unique and rather difficult. Many people have been in a similar situation in which they must take a class that they believe is unnecessary. However, Mr. Adam’s situation is unique, considering his age and life experience.

This man is not an ordinary student. Typically, University students graduate high school and go straight into college. There are some outliers, whether they wait a few years to begin college, they drop out of high school and get their GED, or some other occurrence, but very few leave school after the ninth grade and return with their GED in their 30’s. The idea of having required courses are for the purpose of a well-rounded education and enabling students to experience new areas of study. This is in order for students to be able to better make big decisions regarding their future with more knowledge and understanding of some of their options, as well as varying other reasons.

However, this is intended for the vast majority of students who are at an age where they are possibly just leaving home, gaining independence, and just beginning to really experience the world. This man is already 34 and has already worked for quite a long time (where he frequently used math while working, showing that he does have an understanding of the subject), entering college with far more world experience and knowledge. Now, I do not believe that he should be totally exempt from required courses, whether they be math or other. In place, I feel that he should be offered an opportunity to earn the credit some other way (through a test or some other option), or perhaps it could be considered that his requirement be reduced from the two math courses, to only one.

While his argument may be weak at points and holds some gaps, that doesn't mean that his argument cannot be considered. Taking into consideration his atypical student status and all of the life experience he has, I do feel that his situation should be addressed. In my view of this, it is not the path he is following now and whether or not he will use math that concerns me, but what he has already proven to know and experience. If he was able to prove his knowledge and competency, he would not need the class. The best solution for the situation would be to grant his petition, under the stipulation that he demonstrates his knowledge and understanding of the given subject.