JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects

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May 23, 2012

JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects

Marivel Resendiz Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Wed May 23, 2012, 10:10 AM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — Seniors at Jacksonville ISD will no longer have to take technology and health as a graduation requirement.

Judy Terry, assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum, said the two course were graduation requirements for many years.

“You needed half a credit of health and one credit of technology to graduate, but in 2010, the Legislature took those two requirements away so we didn't have to offer it anymore,” she said. “But as a district, we chose to keep them as local credits.”

Terry said making the courses electives instead of requirements gives students more leeway in class options.

Now with EOC (end-of-course assessment), we don't know what's going to happen,” she said. “The state thinks that 20 percent of the students in Texas will fail one or two of the assessments. If that happens, we want kids to be able to take classes in order to gain credit and to pass the EOC test.”

The graduation requirement will not apply to current high school students, but will apply to 2012-2013 incoming freshman.

“In high school, you have to graduate with the plan you start with,” Terry said. “Our freshman already started with that plan.”

During the meeting, board member Blaine Verhelle asked if incoming freshman already took health in middle school, would it be neglected when entering high school.

Terry said no, it would be counted as an elective.

On Tuesday, Local dentist Dr. David Simmons said he was against removing health as a graduation requirement.

“With child obesity increasing, we should be teaching children more about health than taking it away,” he said.

Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell said although the courses are no longer required, students will still have opportunities to take the classes for credit.

“We still have a lot of technology opportunities for kids,” he said. “We have kids getting 503 different certification this year in our technology classes. Those are all electives, in advance settings.”

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JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects

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