This week's blog is to inform everyone about a change to the minimum standards for high schools in New Hampshire. Minimum standards are those standards that a school district must adhere to in order to have approval from the Department of Education (these include everything from class size to course offerings). Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, Ed 306.27 states that all students will be required to "engage with and apply English and mathematics graduation competencies every year they are enrolled in high school even if graduation competencies for English and mathematics have been demonstrated". Our high school students are currently required to have four years of English and three years of math. For our students, this new requirement means they must take an actual math class or must take a class in which knowledge of math is a requirement (more on this later) for each year they are enrolled in high school.
The Department of Education has told districts that we need to have a
plan in place for 2015-2016 and then begin requiring this math standard of all
students as we go forward. Our plan will be to apply this requirement to our current Junior Class as a pilot program to see what our needs will be for new course offerings and to make sure math competencies are clearly part of classes that might fit the criteria. This is important for students and their families to understand as they begin the process of choosing classes each year.
Many students might think they are "all done" with math by their junior year. If you read this standard carefully, the intention is that students must take a course in which math is a necessary component; it is not stating that they need four credits in math. Rather, students must be enrolled in a course that applies math competencies. For example, a Personal Finance class would count to satisfy this requirement, as would a class in Woodworking: both of these heavily rely on mathematical applications for success. A Physics course would also satisfy the requirement, as would Economics. Of course, any of our math offerings would also count! As we put together the Program of Studies for next year, we will indicate those classes that satisfy the requirement in hopes this will make it easier for families.
We are also working closely with the Seacoast School of Technology to determine which of the classes at the SST cover this requirement. Other students might choose to take an on-line course to meet the requirement or take advantage of an Extended Learning Opportunity.
At first, I was very upset with yet another "unfunded mandate" and thought we might need to hire extra staff without the funds to make this possible. It is not, however, a requirement for another credit in math, but rather, another year of using and applying math, either through a specific math class or a class that applies math. I realized how valuable this could be- not just the extra math that I think all students should have, but as a way to increase student awareness of the ways in which math is used everyday. I see this as an opportunity for our students to keep their math skills sharp as they go on to the workplace or college. (I still think the state should supply some funds for this!)
Right now we are working with our juniors to help them sign up for a math class or a class in which math is applied. As a pilot, we need to assess our needs and this next school year will help us sort this out. As always, if you have any questions, please call the SAU at 895-4299 ext. 1103 or the high school at 895-6616.
