As of Thursday, August 2, the Kentucky Department of Education has proposed some major changes for future high school graduates.
The proposed changes require that future Kentucky students graduating from high school “demonstrate foundational skills in reading and mathematics and achieve academic or career readiness to graduate.” So, what does that mean, exactly?
It means that the Board of Education is raising the bar, as stated by Commissioner Wayne Lewis. It means that, instead of a high schooler completing four years of math, only to come out of graduation lacking a basic knowledge of the subject, Kentucky state officials plan to change the curriculum in ways they believe will be benefit the students, the universities they attend afterward and the employers that will hire them. Not only that, but the new system will allow high schoolers more personalization toward their interests, and more flexibility in their course of study.
Daviess County Public Schools Superintendent, Matt Robbins, responded by saying, “Rather than taking classes that might not be meaningful for them, students would benefit more by taking coursework that aligns with their plans for careers and postsecondary education.” Robbins went on to say, “We welcome any challenge that raises the bar for our students.”
Students under this proposal would have to prove proficiency in 10th grade reading and math levels before graduating. If a student fails, they can retake the test up to four times before taking an alternative route to prove their proficiency.
According to the proposal, students will need to complete a minimum of 22 credits before graduation–12 of those credits being aligned with the student’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
“The new requirements would split the state’s 22 required minimum credits into foundational and personalized components,” said Robbins. “A student still would need to pass four English classes to graduate, but two of those classes would be aligned with students’ interests and aligned with standards. The personalized courses include career pathways and work-based learning experiences.”
One of the biggest changes will be the students’ requirements to “pass a civics exam, receive instruction in financial literacy, demonstrate competency in essential skills and technology,” according to the Board of Education’s press release. Moreover, students will have to achieve academic or career readiness, which would be determined by the state’s accountability system.
“DCPS high schools already work to personalize class selection for students,” said Robbins. “The changes could make a student’s path to graduation more individualized.” Robbins said he didn’t believe much would change for DCPS students, even amongst the changes, because of the exceptional educational standards already set for high school students.
If the proposal is passed in October, these changes will affect freshman students entering high school for the Fall 2019 semester.
