July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Curriculum changes set for class of 2010 (03/01/06)
By By BETH A. CLAYTON-
Potential members of Jay County High School’s Class of 2010 likely have not given their commencement day more than a passing thought, but state and local school boards have approved course descriptions and requirements designed to make getting to that milestone more challenging and meaningful.
The changes, which will take affect for incoming freshmen in the 2006-07 school year, came as a result of the Indiana State Board of Education’s revision of graduation requirements in February 2005, with the Jay School Corporation board officially adopting most of the changes at the December 2005 board meeting.
Those revisions call for more rigorous demands for the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, the addition of the Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma and a new category of requirements for a general diploma known as the career academic sequence.
“We want something behind our diplomas,” said Jay School Superintendant Barbara Downing.
“Everybody has to learn something after high school, whether it’s college or the military or something else. These kids have to step up.”
Another state-mandated change to affect every JCHS student this fall is an amended 4-block schedule. Starting this fall, students will attend only four classes per day, instead of five.
The career academic sequence is comprised of six credits and is designed to help students explore different career areas. Students may remain on the same career path throughout high school or switch midway to explore other areas.
In addition, students have five flex credits, which must be earned either by taking additional courses in a career academic sequence or courses which involve workplace learning.
Each student also has five elective credits to enroll in whatever they choose.
This system replaces current requirements, which allow for eight directed electives and eight general electives.
To earn the Academic Honors diploma, students must now take two credits of Geography/History of the World (also newly-required of those seeking a Core 40 diploma) and either earn Advanced Placement or dual high school/college credits or score at least a 1200 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT.
Starting with the class of 2010, students can graduate with a Core 40 diploma with Technical Honors by maintaining a ‘B’ average, completing 8-10 credits in a career-technical program and earning a state-recognized certification or certificate of techinical achievement.
Other changes that will greet the class of 2010 is the requirement of biology, and the Jay School Corporation board voted Monday to require juniors and seniors to take English 11 and 12 respectively unless they are enrolled in anadvanced placement English course.
Previously, students needed eight terms of English but could take courses such as Indiana Literature or Film Literature after completing English 10.
Downing said that while students will still be encouraged to take other language arts electives, these basic English courses offered the grammar, composition and literature necessary for students to have a balanced English education.
While students have long been required to take three terms of science, with at least one each in the Life Science and Physical Science departments, biology was previously only mandatory for students pu rsuing an academic honors diploma. But beginning this fall, all 9th graders will be required to enroll in the course. Also greeting students both new and old in the fall of 2006 will be an amended Block-4 schedule. Currently, students attend four classes daily for 75 minutes, with a fifth period in the middle of the day allowing for 45 minutes of instructional time and 30 minutes of lunch. The four longer classes change at semester, while the shortest class does not, allowing students in classes such as band and algebra to devote their attention year-round.
However, the Indiana State Board of Education mandated that as of the 2006-2007 school year, any school operating on a block schedule, must have a minimum of 250 minutes of instruction per week, with a minimum of 85 minutes of instruction per class, not counting time in between periods.
As a result, students will now attend four classes daily for 85 minutes.[[In-content Ad]]
The changes, which will take affect for incoming freshmen in the 2006-07 school year, came as a result of the Indiana State Board of Education’s revision of graduation requirements in February 2005, with the Jay School Corporation board officially adopting most of the changes at the December 2005 board meeting.
Those revisions call for more rigorous demands for the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, the addition of the Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma and a new category of requirements for a general diploma known as the career academic sequence.
“We want something behind our diplomas,” said Jay School Superintendant Barbara Downing.
“Everybody has to learn something after high school, whether it’s college or the military or something else. These kids have to step up.”
Another state-mandated change to affect every JCHS student this fall is an amended 4-block schedule. Starting this fall, students will attend only four classes per day, instead of five.
The career academic sequence is comprised of six credits and is designed to help students explore different career areas. Students may remain on the same career path throughout high school or switch midway to explore other areas.
In addition, students have five flex credits, which must be earned either by taking additional courses in a career academic sequence or courses which involve workplace learning.
Each student also has five elective credits to enroll in whatever they choose.
This system replaces current requirements, which allow for eight directed electives and eight general electives.
To earn the Academic Honors diploma, students must now take two credits of Geography/History of the World (also newly-required of those seeking a Core 40 diploma) and either earn Advanced Placement or dual high school/college credits or score at least a 1200 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT.
Starting with the class of 2010, students can graduate with a Core 40 diploma with Technical Honors by maintaining a ‘B’ average, completing 8-10 credits in a career-technical program and earning a state-recognized certification or certificate of techinical achievement.
Other changes that will greet the class of 2010 is the requirement of biology, and the Jay School Corporation board voted Monday to require juniors and seniors to take English 11 and 12 respectively unless they are enrolled in anadvanced placement English course.
Previously, students needed eight terms of English but could take courses such as Indiana Literature or Film Literature after completing English 10.
Downing said that while students will still be encouraged to take other language arts electives, these basic English courses offered the grammar, composition and literature necessary for students to have a balanced English education.
While students have long been required to take three terms of science, with at least one each in the Life Science and Physical Science departments, biology was previously only mandatory for students pu rsuing an academic honors diploma. But beginning this fall, all 9th graders will be required to enroll in the course. Also greeting students both new and old in the fall of 2006 will be an amended Block-4 schedule. Currently, students attend four classes daily for 75 minutes, with a fifth period in the middle of the day allowing for 45 minutes of instructional time and 30 minutes of lunch. The four longer classes change at semester, while the shortest class does not, allowing students in classes such as band and algebra to devote their attention year-round.
However, the Indiana State Board of Education mandated that as of the 2006-2007 school year, any school operating on a block schedule, must have a minimum of 250 minutes of instruction per week, with a minimum of 85 minutes of instruction per class, not counting time in between periods.
As a result, students will now attend four classes daily for 85 minutes.[[In-content Ad]]
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