Post-grad Education
Call it a post-graduation civics lesson. When Erica Corder of Monument, Colo., altered her pre-approved valedictorian speech in 2006 to evangelize for Jesus, her school principal was not at all pleased. In fact, she ordered Corder to write a post-speech letter of explanation.

Fifteen months later, Corder sued Colorado’s School District 38, arguing the principal had no constitutional right to a.) make her write the letter, and b.) pre-approve the graduation speeches in the first place.

A federal judge dismissed Corder’s lawsuit, saying, “The school, by permitting its highest achieving students (to) give short speeches, did not open its facilities for indiscriminate use.”

Corder, who graduated in 2006, suggested she might appeal. “I want to continue to do what God wants me to do, and He wants me to keep going,” she said. (The Gazette, Colorado Springs)

Catching ‘em Early
Many people have noted that many churchy high-schoolers—USA Today says seven out of every 10—leave the church by age 23. John Decker, a volunteer for the InterVarsity chapter at Syracuse (N.Y.) University believes the key to cutting down some of this attrition is for Christian groups to make the acquaintance of incoming freshmen early, like, within the first week, if not before.

Decker’s been working closely with local Young Life groups to connect with high-school students, some of whom likely will attend Syracuse. He invites them to on-campus meetings and teaches them how to arrange for Christian roommates.

“This puts more earnestness in their own preparation and spiritual life while they’re still in high school,” Decker says. “We also encourage the incoming students to prepare their Facebook page in advance, so they will establish a Christ-honoring identity and include some creative expression of their faith.” (www.intervarsity.org)

Cash and College
Families planned to spend less this year getting their college-age kids ready to head back to college, according to a National Retail Federation survey. The poll found the average family planned to spend about 7 percent less than in previous years—about a $600 layout.

“The college crowd has moved the needle on retail spending for the last five years, but this year that’s not where retailers are seeing growth,” says Ellen Davis, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. (USA Today)

In Korea, Alma Mater Matters
Think competition is tough stateside to get into top-flight colleges? Take a look at South Korea, where students flood bootcamp-like “cram schools” in an effort to snag spots in the nation’s most prestigious universities.

Many students who attend these schools are called “study-again students,” who tried (and failed) at least once before to qualify for a top-notch college. They sacrifice all manner of teenage staples—television, cell phones, even boyfriends and girlfriends—to study from 6:30 a.m. to well past midnight seven days a week. If all goes well, they’ll earn the right to study just as hard elsewhere—but at a higher level.

“In our country, college entrance exams determine 70 to 80 percent of a person’s future,” says Chung Il-wook, who sent his 18-year-old daughter to such a school. “It’s a sad reality, but you have to acknowledge it; otherwise, you hurt your children’s future.” (New York Times)

Suicidal Tendencies
More than half of undergraduate college students (55 percent) have had suicidal thoughts at some point during their lifetimes, and 18 percent seriously considered committing suicide. Eight percent made an attempt. (USA Today)