The mtg I attended did not focus on specific graduations requirements, but
instead on priorities for secondary education in Moscow. Therefore, we
couldn't possibly have come up with specific suggestions like those listed
in John's summary. I am curious about whether people at the other mtgs
were this focused, or whether the curriculum committee translated the
feedback in some way. Thoughts on this John, or anyone else who attended?
--Priscilla Salant
----------
> From: John Danahy <JDANAHY@turbonet.com>
> To: Vision2020 <vision2020@moscow.com>
> Subject: New Graduation Requirements
> Date: Tuesday, November 25, 1997 11:32 AM
>
> On November 12th a series of meetings was held thruout the Moscow School
> District on what our new graduation requirements should be. While
turnout
> was low, the feedback was excellent. Attendance at the five meetings
was:
> Junior High 40, Lena Whitmore 18, Russell 7, Mcdonald 18, West Park 18,
> Written responses 11
>
> There will be a second district wide meeting on December 3 in the
> Multi-purpose room at the Junior High to continue taking imput from the
> public.
>
> A compilation of the results of the November 12th meetings is listed
below.
>
> Proposed graduation requirements in approximate order of their importance
> to those who attended and/or sent written comments.
>
> 1) Continue to offer world history and world geography as discrete
classes
> and require students to take them.
>
> 2) Increase the total credits required for graduation to either 44 or 46.
> (current 42)
>
> 3) Require a minimum 2.0 GPA in the identified core classes. (Some would
> argue the core class list is incomplete)
>
> 4) Maintain the current PE requirement - however there were a number who
> disagreed and also a number who believe we should consider a waiver for
one
> or more PE credits.
>
> 5) Require more than 4 credits in math
>
> 6) Maintain the same requirements listed under the Class of 2001
>
> 7) We need not be afraid of change. Stepping outside the curricular
"box"
> and asking ourselves why we have these requirements and do we still need
to
> do things this way are appropriate questions to ask ourselves.
>
> 8) Whatever they are, graduation requirements must meet most college
> entrance requirements.
>
> 9) Keep requirements low to allow for lots of student selection.
>
> 10) We need to determine how many correspondence courses we will allow
for
> graduation.
>
> 11) A foreign language should be required.
>
> 12) Drop many of the graduation requirements and replace them with a
> complete, linear plan for career exploration, a plan of educated choice
for
> students and parents.
>
> 13) Reinstate the reading requirement and allow students to test out
>
> 14) Eliminate the humanities requirement
>
> 15) Require 1 credit of community service
>
> 16) Maintain the 90% attendance rule and strictly enforce it.
>
> Other issues that are not directly related to graduation requirements
>
> Priority items are
>
> 1) Provide Advanced Placement opportunities
>
> 2) Consider a career pathways format for all secondary students
>
> 3) Vocational offerings should not be required for graduation but we
should
> have more applied academics - And they should not be dumped down classes
>
> 4) A service learning offering might be a possible elective
>
> Other considerations (in random order)
>
> Have social studies 1,2,3,4 and integrate all subjects into each class.
>
> We need not necessarily keep the same order we always have with
Government
> and one English class exclusively for seniors
>
> Dual credit should continue for college classes taken by high school
> students. We touched lightly upon the issue of who foots the bill
>
> Go to a more flexible schedule - possibly trimester
>
> We need a curriculum that holds kids in school and it needs to be
flexible
>
> PE might be required every day for every one, but not be a graduation
> requirement. PE should be offered in more creative ways
>
> Even college bound students need to take vocational classes because they
> may need to work to pay for college.
>
> Parents need curriculum guides and syllabi, perhaps on a web site, so
they
> can discuss at home with their students the classes the students should
> take.
>
> Study skills should be taught at 7th grade or earlier for all students
>
> Foreign language offerings should begin in elementary schools
>
> Add Spanish 5 and French 4 to the high school
>
> All PE classes should be on a pass/fail basis
>
> "I rather see students performing at a generally passing level in their
> classes than putting extra kinds of testing in place
>
> Create an individual education plan for all students tailored to their
> needs and individual interests
>
> Institute an International Baccalaureate program in Moscow High School
>
> Increase PE for 7th grade to full year
>
> As you can see we had a variety of options and ideas proposed. Please
feel
> free to come and express your opinions on December 3 in the Junior High
> mutli purpose room.
>
> John Danahy
> jdanahy@turbonet.com