School-of-Thought

The state board of education just made it harder to graduate from South Dakota high schools.  The change is the result of a new law passed by the legislature that eliminates the “basic” curricular option for graduation, and instead mandates a single curriculum designed to prepare all South Dakota students for college.  These changes come on the heels of prior legislative changes that moves the mandatory attendance age from 16 to 18.   

The current changes adopted by the state board eliminates the “basic” route to graduation, as well as increases the academic rigor of the new route.  

Beginning with freshman students entering high school in 2010, each student will be required to take three units of math, including one unit of algebra I, one unit of algebra II, and one unit of geometry.  Under the new requirements, the total number of math units required for graduation won’t change, but students will have less options and will be required to only take math classes deemed rigorous.   All students will be required to take Algebra I and II, and geometry unless the local school board opts to grant a waiver.  The waiver can be used to select another rigorous math class in lieu of either algebra II or geometry, but not both.   

Similar action was taken with the science curriculum.  The total number of science units required for graduation will not change, but rigor will go up and course selection options will go down.  Students will be required to take three units of science, including one unit of biology, one unit of chemistry and one unit of physics.  Local school boards will have the option to offer a waiver for either chemistry or physics as long as an alternatively rigorous science class is selected by the student. 

Language Arts and Social Studies awill not affected. In LA, South Dakota will continue to require four units to graduate, including 1.5 units of writing, 1.5 units of literature, .5 unit of speech or debate, and .5 units of a language arts elective. In SS, three units will continue to be required, including one unit of US history, .5 unit of world history, .5 unit of US government, and .5 unit of a SS elective. 

Additional changes provide an increase in the selection process.  Students will have the option of taking one unit of any of the following: a world language, a career and technical education class (CTE), or a capstone experience such as a research project or other approved senior-year project.

Last, the state ed board added a new requirement of one-half unit of a health class.  This will be in addition to the current requirement of one-half unit of physical education class. 

The total number of units required to graduate by the state won’t change — it will remain at 22.  And there is no discussion to change our high school requirement, now at 24. units. 

So that’s what was done.   I have mixed emotions about the changes.  Improving rigor is good.  Requiring all students to stay in school to age 18 is good.  Putting the two together probably isn’t.  

I’m concerned that we’re setting up some students to fail.  I believe every student can be successful in school.  But can every single student successfully pass algebra II or geometry?  Likewise, can every single student successfully pass chemistry or physics?  I think not.  True, local school boards can provide latitude, but our discretion will be limited. 

School should be rigorous, but also relevant.  It should provide students enough latitude to find their interests and to passionately persue them.  As much as we may want every student to attend college, not ever student will.   We can jump up and down, we can hit our heads against the wall, and we can provide them data and encouragement – but still, not every student will. Rigor is good, but rigor must be tied to relevance for a student to succeed.  Otherwise, it’s a program like No Child Left Behind,  built upon the best of intentions, but doomed to fail.  

I guess time will tell.