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Double Dipping

Assorted Stuff put up a post discussing the removal of electives for students who aren't passing their standardized tests. As happenstance, my meeting tomorrow is about designing the new "English Lab" courses for those students who didn't pass the WASL this year... or in 7th grade, if they haven't taken the 10th grade test yet.

Not only will our students loose their summer for remedial classes, but it is very likely that we have sophomores who are only taking english, math and science courses next year. Basically, the student schedule would look something along the lines of:
  • English 10
  • English Lab
  • Math 10
  • Math Lab
  • Biology
  • English 9 or Math 9 make-up

If it wasn't for the science WASL, that might be dropped as well. Some have advocated that students be given core credit for the lab classes - although others have said "what happens when the student is senior and has already recieved all of their english credits? Do they bail on Senior English?" Of course, my question is... will the student even be enrolled by their senior year if they can't pass the WASL during the preceding years? Also, this type of schedule means that student will not be able to take the required Humanties course for their sophomore year, as well as their electives*. Does this mean that by failing to pass the WASL, the student automatically goes to the 5-year plan?

Either way, it sounds like a deadly dull day and I certainly wouldn't want it.

*many electives are required at my school, rather than a choice. Students must have a certain number of PE, CTE and Performing Arts credits to gradute. This is a local requirement.

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