Last night I attended DPI?s regional meeting on proposed high school graduation requirements. These proposals stem from North Carolina?s connections with the American Diploma Project, an initiative of Achieve, Inc. (Achieve began in 1996 by governors and business leaders concern about weak educational standards in the states. Gov. Easley is currently co-chairman along with Arthur Ryan, CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc.)
If the proposals are passed, the state will mandate more particular classes, and fewer electives than what is now required. The course requirements will be the same for every graduate whether they are going to college or not.  Main changes:

  • Add one unit of math ? 4 units instead of 3 units
  • Add two units of second language ? was not required for graduation
  • ?Endorsement? ? every student will take at least 4 units in one particular area ? this previously was only required for students not going to college
  • Only one unit of health and PE ? two units have been required
  • Arts Education is not required at all ? one unit has been required

Audience mainly consisted of high school teachers, guidance counselors, and other employees of the educational system. Main concerns centered on the urgency of implementation, these new requirements will begin with freshmen entering in 2008.  Many felt there was not enough time to hire specialized teachers in math and foreign languages. There were lots of questions surrounding the concept of ?endorsements.? Tracks within the career/technical department consist of an endorsement, but now AP/IB classes will be considered. What other classes will be considered as an ?endorsement??  No one knows for sure. In fact, DPI lists ?other? as an option, but no one is quite sure what ?other? means. What if a student decides to go into a different area of interest, does this allow for flexibility? Will these new requirements take longer than four years to complete?  How will these changes affect charter schools, and their proposed charter? Will college prep charter schools now need to offer the Career/Technical Educational classes? 

There were many questions left unanswered. The State Board of Education will probably make a decision and pass policy before the summer. Capacity for achievement begins in elementary and middle school; just expecting high schools to perform better because more classes are required will not accomplish the desired goal.