The debate over changing graduation requirements for Texas students continues, and many parents are frustrated at finding the issue clear as mud. Here’s the latest:
Student schedules are set for the 2009-10 school year. Current seniors were permitted some leniency based on the confusion. Future seniors must wait to see what courses will be required for graduation. More, after the jump.
The Texas Board of Education is meeting now to discuss changes made by the state legislature. Since Texas lawmakers changed only the Recommended graduation plans, the BOE is expected to bring all three plans, including Mimimum and Distinguished, into alignment. They will also decide whether or not to release students from the required speech course, as recommended by the legislature.
The problem now is one of timing. The BOE could give quick preliminary approval to these non-controversial changes, but if they prolong their discussion or drag their feet in giving final approval, school districts won’t have much time to prepare enrollment materials and make staffing decisions.
Meanwhile, back at Richardson ISD, high school principals aren’t so sure that eliminating the required health class is a good idea. In these days of world-wide flu epidemics and troubling teen pregnancy rates, our one semester health class may be kept as an RISD required course despite the state no longer requiring it. The district will create a committee to study the issue and present their findings to the board for approval.
