ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: COMPILED BY LISA APPLEGATE.
Based on a discussion Tuesday, the Montgomery County School Board likely will support adding tougher graduation requirements in the form of two new diplomas. For both the new standard and the advanced diplomas, students would have to take more math, science and social studies.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Sellers said the state is leaning toward requiring Algebra I and at least one more year of social studies to graduate, though no final decision has been made. These new diplomas would meet those expected changes, Sellers said.
Though students could decide to go back to the old diploma requirements, their parents would have to meet with the principal and guidance counselors to do so.
The School Board agreed the increase of core class requirements is a positive step, though some members expressed concern that the number of electives would be reduced, as would the number of fine arts, vocational and foreign language teaching positions. The types of classes would change as well, and several members asked to see a specific plan for class subject and teacher reassignments.
Wat Hopkins said he worried the additional pressure might increase the number of dropouts, or at least discourage some students.
A final vote is scheduled for Nov. 5.
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