Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Monday, December 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Requirements for diploma may grow

he State Board of Education plans a public discussion of what students should learn and whether graduation requirements should match those for admission to college.

Seattle Times education reporter

State Board of Education meeting

The board will take public comments as it considers new state minimum graduation requirements. The meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the College Center Building cafeteria at North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N. Information: www.sbe.wa.gov.

More math for sure. Maybe more English, social studies and foreign language, too.

Tuesday, State Board of Education members will be in Seattle to discuss raising the minimum number and types of classes students need to graduate from high school, and perhaps changing other state graduation requirements, such as the in-depth "culminating" project.

The board members aren't looking at removing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) as one of the graduation requirements — that's something they support, said Edie Harding, the board's executive director.

They are considering adding to the list of courses students must take — perhaps matching what most four-year public colleges and universities expect of their applicants. And they're discussing whether to add a number of "lifelong learning skills" that students would have to demonstrate, such as leadership, civic responsibility and teamwork.

At the meetings, they also plan to ask:

• What essential skills should students learn in high school?

• Should all students be required to meet the same requirements to earn a diploma, or should there be more than one diploma, as is the case in a number of other states?

• In 2012, students will have to take at least three years of math (required by the state Legislature), so what kind of math classes will be acceptable?

Now, the state requires graduates to earn at least 19 credits and pass reading and writing on the WASL (or an approved alternative). If students don't pass the math WASL, they must continue taking math classes. All students also must complete the culminating project and a "high school and beyond" plan for their future.

Districts can add to those requirements, and many have. Of the 33 school districts in King and Snohomish counties, for example, 20 require four credits of English, rather than the state minimum of three. Eight of the districts require three credits of math. Until 2012, the state requires two.

Seattle Public Schools requires three credits of English and two in math.

To match the entrance requirements for most public colleges and universities, the State Board said it would have to add an additional year of English and math to the state minimums, and two years of a foreign language. (Washington students now can graduate without taking a foreign-language class, unless their district requires it.) The board also would need to add another semester of social studies.

The board will decide on any changes by July and then would work with the Legislature to provide the money necessary to put them into effect.

Linda Shaw: 206-464-2359 or lshaw@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business

Illegal workers quietly let go

Metro won't cut bus service after all

Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift

Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

Advertising