These kids have been getting robbed of a proper education since well before the pandemic arrived. Holding them back a year is just going to create a generation of delayed adults that will ripple through the economy in ways we can't even imagine.
But lets try:
Shifting average graduation age to 18-19
* Drop out rate: TO THE MOON!
* Shit pay "high school" jobs no one wants: Now for adults!
* Wages don't just stagnate by age groups: Stagnant wages for everyone!
* Entering the work force a year later? Great reason to raise retirement age!
Grades are arbitrary. Plenty of kids start a year late sometimes on purpose by parents to give them a leg up. Particularly for grades 8-12, in school education is vital. You seem very concerned about the economy.
> Plenty of kids start a year late sometimes on purpose by parents to give them a leg up
Don't be ridiculous. The amount of parents that do this is practically non-existent.
> Particularly for grades 8-12, in school education is vital.
I disagree. I've worked in a top 5 largest school district for over 22 years. Under normal circumstances a handful of kids graduate high school with trigonometry under their belt, some with only algebra, and some in between (its the same for science). There's plenty of wiggle room in there. Colleges already offer remedial classes for kids that need it and its unfair to the students that managed to succeed even in this environment.
> You seem very concerned about the economy.
I shouldn't have used the word economy (as that tends to translate directly to "the stock market"). I really meant its bad for labor (but good for the companies that exploit labor).
Let me re-iterate my most important point: If everyone is held back, the dropout rate will be catastrophic for years to come.
"The economy" is whatever anyone does for work; it's right to be concerned about it. It doesn't mean "stock market numbers" - although retirees sure care about those.
But lets try:
Shifting average graduation age to 18-19
* Drop out rate: TO THE MOON!
* Shit pay "high school" jobs no one wants: Now for adults!
* Wages don't just stagnate by age groups: Stagnant wages for everyone!
* Entering the work force a year later? Great reason to raise retirement age!