State board acts . . .

On Thursday, the state board took action to rearrange the state's required graduation credits.  The total stayed at twenty, but they added one additional English credit for a total of four and a half Social Studies credit for a new total of three.  They also made successful completion of Washington State History a non-credit requirement and added a half credit requirement for civics.  These and other changes were passed on a 9 to 3 vote.  I shared some of the process the State Board is using to make all Washington graduates college and work ready in this 2010 post on the essential 20.

You can read about the board's action on their website here where they describe what took place prior to the meeting.  Tahoma was one of the 70 districts sending formal written comments to the board.


SBE staff reported that they had received formal written comments from 70 school districts and other stakeholders over the past two months on the proposed rule-making change. From staff comments, it appeared the majority of school districts that sent formal comments were opposed to changing the requirements at this time.

According to SBE staff, the top reasons for opposing the change at this time were:

• Fiscal impact of making the changes, including the cost associated with staff mix, materials cost, adding sections, etc.
• Loss of flexibility and choice by reducing electives
• Concern from districts that may be meeting requirements now but are using local levy dollars which wouldn’t necessarily still be available with future funding cuts by the state
• Some questions about how the two-for-one CTE credit requirement would be implemented

Our primary reasons for opposing the change at this time are related to cost and loss of flexibility.  With about 40% of current seniors not meeting the new Social Studies requirement, if the requirement were in place today, it would have a significant impact on our elective program.  This would create staffing concerns for the district and would take away additional flexibility from students and families as they plan for post high school learning and work.  Since the legislation that is driving this change required that there be funding in place prior to implementing any changes, we agree with one of the dissenting board members reason for voting no.

Dal Porto also mentioned his concern about breaking the SBE’s commitment with school districts to push forward no unfunded mandates until funding is provided for the changes.

The changes are required for the class of 2016, the current eighth grade class.  Because there were districts raising concerns, the board decided to compromise by allowing for a two year waiver to extend the requirement to the class of 2018.  We have until June1, 2012 to decide if we want to apply for the waiver.  I'm disappointed that this action was taken.  It is not timely and I am not supportive of requirements that limit additional flexibility as do some who testified at the meeting.

Wood spoke specifically about a concern losing electives and questioned whether the SBE’s preferred “core” subjects really were the most relevant and critical to the success of all students.


“Is a fourth year of English, spent diagramming sentences, or a communications class in public speaking more relevant?” asked Wood.

WSSDA Past President Kevin Laverty (Mukilteo) and Northshore School Director Janet Quinn also spoke in opposition to the changes.

“We just can’t do it anymore,” said Quinn. “We have a dedicated group of educators who are doing their best, but they just can’t take on one more unfunded mandate. Something has to give.” She also mentioned that electives were sometimes the only thing that kept a student in school.