Trustees Review HS Grad Rules

It could be just the change that music enthusiasts and some high
school staffers have been waiting for, or it could be a disaster
waiting to happen, a decision made without input from the Morgan
Hill Federation of Teachers causing yet another contract
dispute.
Morgan Hill – It could be just the change that music enthusiasts and some high school staffers have been waiting for, or it could be a disaster waiting to happen, a decision made without input from the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers causing yet another contract dispute.

Under the controversial high school graduation requirement proposal, if a student passes algebra 1 and geometry in middle school, for example, those two courses will count toward the three required math courses to graduate from high school, but the 20 credits received from the completion of courses taken in middle school would not count toward the total 220 credits needed for graduation. The student could earn those 20 credits in another area.

The change would lift the 20-credit limit and would require principal approval for outside units. High school students are limited by the current policy to 20 credits obtained outside the district high schools.

The Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education discussed the changes last Tuesday. They would change the math, applied and fine arts and world-language requirements for high school graduation and the supplemental credits limit for all high school students.

The proposed changes to the requirement for applied arts, fine arts and world languages would require students to have a combined 20 credits from two of the three areas. Ten of the credits for world-language classes could be earned in middle school, but those 10 credits would not count toward the 220 required for graduation.

The changes would align the district’s requirements in these subjects to state college-entrance requirements, said Pat Blanar, director of curriculum and assessment for the district.

Blanar said the changes are being considered to provide students with more flexibility as they choose their classes to meet their high-school graduation requirements.

Many students trying to meet the district requirements but also University of California and California State University entrance requirements have difficulty doing so within the standard six-period day if they are involved in band, choral music or athletics or taking advanced placement courses, Blanar said. 

The changes, to be considered again by trustees Aug. 28.

“As a former band parent, this is huge,” Trustee Don Moody said during last Tuesday’s meeting. “We went the route of (looking at) PE credit for marching, all of those things … This change would make our students even more competitive with the UCs, now students can delve deeper in a subject area … This will only enhance their marketability to colleges.”

Parent Jennifer Cayman said her daughter had been in band during her high school years and that it would have been easier for her to meet requirements if the proposed changes had been in place.

“My daughter has had to jump through many hoops to fit in fine arts,” she said. “Sometimes what (students) need is flexibility.”

Trustee Shelle Thomas said teacher input on the change is crucial, and she applauded the fact that trustees were only discussing the changes, even though the agenda item detailing the amended policy was originally listed for discussion then action.

Board President Peter Mandel said he wanted the board to have an opportunity to hear feedback from the community and teachers.

MHFT President Donna Foster did not attend the July 31 meeting but sent an e-mail to trustees and the Times asking it be read during the meeting. She expressed a concern about the change being suggested for the limit on supplemental credits.

In her e-mail, Foster expressed concerns about the board making decisions on what she said are contract issues that are still under negotiation. One of the issues is the district’s proposed “High Step” program, which would offer a college course at each high school, one per semester.

Also, she said that teachers need to give input on major curriculum discussions, such as changing the graduation requirements, and would request that the discussions take place during the school year so that educators could be involved and can attend board meetings, as she said is a part of their contract with the district.

Superintendent Alan Nishino said he believed the board should move forward with the changes.

“I really do believe we should focus on kids,” he said. “Many times adults get in the way … This gives kids more flexibility, more opportunity to excel.”   

REQUIREMENT CHANGES

• Algebra and geometry classes taken in middle school pass the district requirement for two of the three courses needed for graduation, but the 20 credits earned do not apply to the 220 high school credits necessary to earn a diploma, therefore may be applied to higher level math classes or classes in other areas.

• The current 20-credit limit on classes taken outside district high school offerings, while the student is in high school, would be lifted. Approval by the student’s principal would be necessary.

• Fine arts, applied arts and world-language requirements could be met by taking a combination of classes in two of the three areas.