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Graduation Rule. New Graduation Rule. Effective with incoming freshmen in 2008 Eliminate tiered diploma options Common set of diploma requirements All graduates prepared for college-entry courses without remediation and the workplace. New Graduation Rule. Areas of Study: Units Required
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New Graduation Rule • Effective with incoming freshmen in 2008 • Eliminate tiered diploma options • Common set of diploma requirements • All graduates prepared for college-entry courses without remediation and the workplace
New Graduation Rule Areas of Study: Units Required English/Language Arts * 4 Mathematics* 4 Science* 4 Social Studies* 3 CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Lang. 3 Health and Physical Education* 1 Electives 4 Total Units (Minimum) 23 * Required Courses and/or Core Courses
Math Changes • 4 units of Mathematics required, including: • 1 unit of Mathematics I or Accelerated Mathematics I • 1 unit of Mathematics II or Accelerated Mathematics II • 1 unit of Mathematics III or Accelerated Mathematics III or any higher level mathematics course, including AP/IB • 1 additional math unit • New courses for 4th year will be added • Support classes, interventions for struggling students
English/Language Arts Changes • 4 units of English/Language Arts required, including: • 1 unit of 9th Grade Literature and Composition • 1 unit of American Literature and Composition • 2 additional units
Science Changes • 4 units of Science required, including: • 1 unit of Biology (can be AP/IB) • 1 unit of Physical Science or Physics (AP/IB) • 1 unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or an AP/IB course • 1 unit of a 4th science, including any AP/IB, academic science, or career tech science (ex: Agricultural Science) • 4th science unit may be used to meet both the science and elective requirements.
Social Studies Changes • 3 units of Social Studies required, including: • 1 unit of World History • 1 unit of United States History • ½ unit of American Government/Civics • ½ unit of Economics
Graduation Rule Requirements for Health/PE • All students must complete 1 unit • 3 units of JROTC may substitute for the Health/PE requirement
Elective Changes • 7 units required, including: • A total of 3 units required from: CTAE and/or Foreign Language and/or Fine Arts for all students (students planning to enter or transfer into a University System of Georgia institution must take two units of the same foreign language) • 4 additional elective units for all students
Changes for Students With Disabilities • Students with disabilities who take and pass Mathematics I with a support class, and Mathematics II with a support class, may meet diploma requirements by completing 1 additional math course (Math III) for a total of 3 math units. • Completion of 3 units of math may not meet math admission requirements for entrance into a University System of Georgia institution.
Requirements for Students with Severe Cognitive Disabilities May graduate and receive a regular high school diploma when the student’s IEP team determines that the student has: • Completed an integrated curriculum based on the GPS that includes instruction in Mathematics, English/Language Arts, Science and Social Studies as well as career preparation, self-determination, independent living and personal care to equal a minimum of 23 units of instruction, and • Participated in the GAA in middle school and high school and earned a proficient score on the high school test, and • Reached the 22nd birthday OR transitioned to employment/training in which the supports needed are provided by an entity other than the local school system
Why Do We Need a New Graduation Rule? • Under the current graduation rule, students complete different requirements depending on which “tiered” diploma option they select • Skills needed for college and the workplace are no longer different (American Diploma Project) • All students need to complete rigorous coursework requirements no matter what their postsecondary plans might be
Why Do We Need to Improve? • Gates Research on Drop-outs • Almost one-third of all public high school students fail to graduate with their class • 47%: classes were boring, not engaging • 69%: not motivated to work hard • 66%: would have worked harder if more was demanded (Gates Foundation, 2006)
Why Do We Need to Improve? • A college and workplace readiness curriculum should be a graduation requirement, not an option, for all high school students. (American Diploma Project, 2004) • A diploma should prepare its holder for both postsecondary education AND the demands of the workplace.(Barth,2003)
Why are we increasing math and science requirements to four years? • Georgia students must be prepared to work in a competitive global economy • Scientific inquiry and mathematical thinking are critical skills all students need • With appropriate third and fourth year options, more students will be prepared to succeed in occupations that require math and science • Support classes help them meet requirements
Are we eliminating Fine Arts? • Fine Arts options are NOT being eliminated • The current rule does not require Fine Arts • The new rule requires ALL students to take at least THREE CREDITS in CTAE and/or Foreign Language and/or Fine Arts • New rule allows greater flexibility and choice regarding electives, including Fine Arts courses
Why not require two years of foreign language for all students? • There is strong support for a 2-year requirement • Math, Science, Foreign Language requirements are important for economic development • There is concern about the state’s current capacity to implement a 2-year requirement • Availability of teachers, variety of courses • Sub-committee developing implementation plan • Requirement could be met in elementary, middle
Why change the requirements for Special Education students? • All students need access to a regular education diploma to provide postsecondary opportunities • With appropriate support, students with disabilities can complete the diploma requirements • Providing access does not water down the meaning of the diploma
How do these changes affect the advanced students? • Advanced courses will continue to be available • Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment, joint enrollment, industry certification courses will continue to be offered • More students will be prepared to do advanced coursework • Transcripts show the level of rigor – “enriched”
Are we cutting Career, Technical & Agricultural Education programs? • CTAE courses and programs are NOT being cut • Pathway options will be expanded to include not only CTAE courses, but also Fine Arts, Humanities and other academic concentrations • Industry certification pathways will be expanded • Dual enrollment opportunities and postsecondary credit will be available
What additional support will be provided to implement the rule? • Guidance documents • Training for counselors, graduation coaches, and administrators • List of 4th year course options for math, science • Additional online, dual enrollment, and joint enrollment course opportunities • Testing information • Parent information