Posted on 11/26/2008 7:24:46 PM PST by MitchellC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school principals overwhelmingly support cutting the number of credits required for graduation, a district leader told the school board Tuesday.
When the district polled its 26 high school principals, 24 wanted to cut back the credits – and they want to apply the new standards to current students instead of waiting for next year's freshmen, Associate Superintendent Ann Clark said. Many principals sat silently through Tuesday's discussion of diploma requirements.
Clark said parents who attended summer discussions also want the requirements to drop because it will give successful students more options for their senior year: “We heard that word ‘flexibility' over and over again.”
The board is scheduled to vote Dec. 9 on cutting the required credits from 28 to 24. A student who passes all courses has 32 credits at the end of four years, and can reach 28 in three years.
Clark and other officials outlined options for students who finish early:
-Take tuition-free classes at Central Piedmont Community College, graduating after four years with 18 to 21 college credits.
-Do internships during school hours to prepare for a career.
-Study abroad.
-Graduate a year early.
-Continue on the traditional track and earn up to 32 credits.
Board opinions remain mixed. Kaye McGarry said she's not convinced the benefits outweigh the drawbacks: “I want that high school diploma to mean something. I think the value is diminished of that high school diploma.”
Vilma Leake countered with a twist on one of McGarry's favorite phrases: “We're not dumbing down. We're smartening up.”
The proposed CMS changes, which would take effect next year, coincide with a change in state policy bumping the minimum from 20 to 21 credits and simplifying the options. Currently, the state has three academic tracks – college prep, tech prep and career prep – with similar requirements. The new state policy creates a single set of requirements for most students (some with disabilities will still get an occupational diploma).
The state changes will apply only to the class of 2013, who enter high school next August. The original CMS plan did the same, but Clark and Superintendent Peter Gorman said after hearing from the principals, they'll consider whether to extend the cut to students who are currently in grades 9-11.
Under the proposed policy, CMS's English, math, science, social studies and physical education requirements don't change. Students would have to take eight additional electives, choosing a concentration in areas such as arts, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, career-technical classes or JROTC.
Some board members worried about eliminating the foreign-language requirement for college-bound students. Under the new plan, a student could earn a CMS diploma without taking any language classes, but would not qualify for admission to state universities and many other colleges.
Ron Joyner, the district's head of high school counseling, said counselors would have to make sure college-bound students understand the need for language. Students who are serious about learning a language need far more than the two credits CMS now requires, he said.
Well, let’s hear it for lower academic standards!
And we all know now where to find them!
Charlotte!!!
When all else fails lower your standards.
Yes, yes, yes.
-Graduate a year early.
Why? You can drop out at 16 and get a GED. As long as you have good grades that's not really an obstacle to getting into college or getting scholarships.
More likely, though, it will just result in people slacking off.
What they need to do is be better about granting school credit for internships/study abroad/college classes. Assuming they do want to encourage those things, and that is not merely a list of excuses.
social studies, physical education, and second language requirements - those they are keeping - are the ones they could dump to make this work right for students.
“Principles Support...”
You know, before you start mocking others for academic deficiencies it might be a good plan to be sure you spell “principals” right.
Took 7 posts - sad.
|
2+2=5
Right answer!
next is pass/fail.
How much is one credit? When I graduated 20 years ago I think I needed 20 or 21 credits. There is no way you could hit 32 in four years, and 28 would have only been possible if you took low credit classes like gym during the summer and didn't take anything like band which only counted for half credit also.
LMAO, that was my fault. I typed it out in a mindless rush, but it is spelled correctly on the Observer website.
Four classes a semester, a credit per class. Eight classes a year, at four years is 32. This is the system they’ve had since the early 90s or so.
Okay - I was thinking it was quite ironic. LOL
I graduated from public schools. Back when a public education was generally good. Through hard work and advanced classes I tested out of several college-level courses.
Now, public education does not even seem to be an option in many areas. Sad, and a waste of tax dollars.
I perceive my age most significantly when reading articles like this one.
Still is.
high school, now as always is a sick joke. The sooner this travesty is ended the better for the individual and society.
Don’t shoot the messenger.
If 24 out of 26 principals made clear that they wanted to cut back the number of credits necessary to graduate, then how did they sit "silently" through Tuesday's discussion?
Yeah! It's the new journalism brought to you by former "valedictorians" of this particular school district.
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