From Go Figure to Rigor!
Folks:
At least their was mention of the renewed understanding of the value of Vocational Education (highlighted line).
Reaction to governor's education plan mixed
Of The Daily Oakland Press
Oakland County educators have mixed feelings about Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to create a more rigorous academic curriculum for high school students statewide.
Many curriculum directors agree the Michigan Scholar Curriculum - which requires four years of English, three of math, three of science, two of a foreign language and 31Ž2 of social studies - represents a reasonable educational foundation for all students.
"Obviously, we want our students to be as best prepared as possible before they go off to college and the work world," said Larry Boehms, principal of Troy High School and president of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.
Troy already requires its students to meet the governor's proposed standards, but graduation requirements are not uniform across the state.
Michigan is one of 13 states now attempting to align high school curricula with college entrance requirements.
To monitor student achievement, legislators have decided to replace the Michigan Educational Assessment Program high school test with a college-entrance-style exam.
Much of the impetus for change stems from the fact that nearly a third of the nation's college-bound high school graduates are placed into remedial courses in language and mathematics, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Still, some local educators are concerned that not all high school students have been adequately prepared to be successful in the higher-level academic courses the governor's proposed curriculum prescribes.
Expanded tutoring and academic intervention programs may needed to ensure all students can be successful.
"Saying this is going to happen is not enough," said Michael Yocum, director of learning services for Oakland Schools. "There are some big changes that need to take place."
Other area educators are concerned that implementation of increased academic requirements could limit opportunities to enroll in enrichment courses such as band, art and theater.
Karen Eckert, director of curriculum for Oxford schools, said Granholm's proposed curriculum consumes 15.5 credits of the 22 a student needs to graduate.
What's more, it does not consider other course requirements some districts impose, such as physical education and computer science.
"This would not leave students a lot of time to do exploration through electives, and I think high school is a time when kids need to explore where their interests and aptitudes lie," she said.
Incorporating academic skills in certain courses outside the core curriculum may offer a solution.
"We need to begin to wed what people used to call vocational education with the academic curriculum," Yocum said.
He argued that, in addition to changing graduation requirements, the state needs to examine course content to ensure all learning pursuits help prepare students to succeed after high school.
Granholm's proposal is not the first curriculum reform idea proposed in Michigan. About 10 years ago, state leaders tried to create a standardized curriculum, but concerns over local control and other issues stymied the measure.
But today, educators are becoming increasingly convinced that the academic bar in Michigan needs to be raised.
They argue that efforts to achieve that goal, however, will require more than a one-size-fits-all approach to curriculum development.
"Students at this level don't come in neat little packages," Boehms said. "You've got to look at individual academic skills and aptitudes and plan for what will make each student most successful."
Amy Payne of the Capital News Service contributed to this report.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/032105/loc_20050321027.shtml
At least their was mention of the renewed understanding of the value of Vocational Education (highlighted line).
Reaction to governor's education plan mixed
Of The Daily Oakland Press
Oakland County educators have mixed feelings about Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to create a more rigorous academic curriculum for high school students statewide.
Many curriculum directors agree the Michigan Scholar Curriculum - which requires four years of English, three of math, three of science, two of a foreign language and 31Ž2 of social studies - represents a reasonable educational foundation for all students.
"Obviously, we want our students to be as best prepared as possible before they go off to college and the work world," said Larry Boehms, principal of Troy High School and president of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.
Troy already requires its students to meet the governor's proposed standards, but graduation requirements are not uniform across the state.
Michigan is one of 13 states now attempting to align high school curricula with college entrance requirements.
To monitor student achievement, legislators have decided to replace the Michigan Educational Assessment Program high school test with a college-entrance-style exam.
Much of the impetus for change stems from the fact that nearly a third of the nation's college-bound high school graduates are placed into remedial courses in language and mathematics, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Still, some local educators are concerned that not all high school students have been adequately prepared to be successful in the higher-level academic courses the governor's proposed curriculum prescribes.
Expanded tutoring and academic intervention programs may needed to ensure all students can be successful.
"Saying this is going to happen is not enough," said Michael Yocum, director of learning services for Oakland Schools. "There are some big changes that need to take place."
Other area educators are concerned that implementation of increased academic requirements could limit opportunities to enroll in enrichment courses such as band, art and theater.
Karen Eckert, director of curriculum for Oxford schools, said Granholm's proposed curriculum consumes 15.5 credits of the 22 a student needs to graduate.
What's more, it does not consider other course requirements some districts impose, such as physical education and computer science.
"This would not leave students a lot of time to do exploration through electives, and I think high school is a time when kids need to explore where their interests and aptitudes lie," she said.
Incorporating academic skills in certain courses outside the core curriculum may offer a solution.
"We need to begin to wed what people used to call vocational education with the academic curriculum," Yocum said.
He argued that, in addition to changing graduation requirements, the state needs to examine course content to ensure all learning pursuits help prepare students to succeed after high school.
Granholm's proposal is not the first curriculum reform idea proposed in Michigan. About 10 years ago, state leaders tried to create a standardized curriculum, but concerns over local control and other issues stymied the measure.
But today, educators are becoming increasingly convinced that the academic bar in Michigan needs to be raised.
They argue that efforts to achieve that goal, however, will require more than a one-size-fits-all approach to curriculum development.
"Students at this level don't come in neat little packages," Boehms said. "You've got to look at individual academic skills and aptitudes and plan for what will make each student most successful."
Amy Payne of the Capital News Service contributed to this report.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/032105/loc_20050321027.shtml
posted by James at 8:17 AM
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