High School Graduation Requirements Change

RANDOLPH, Utah.  August 16 2017.  High School Graduation Requirements are changing this year.  Weston Taylor, School Guidance Counselor, said that Earth Systems and Biology will require three credits as transition to a full year of Earth Systems and a full year of Biology.  Last year’s freshmen took Earth Systems so the transition will take two years to be at four credits.  The District made the change a couple of years ago in the academic core classes which were increased to a full year.  The District wants to improve ACT scores which were low in the sciences.   

Because of the four day week and a trimester system classes are longer.  Board member Bryce Huefner noted that one of the benefits of a trimester is options for more classes and that this change lessens the options for other classes like BTC offers.   He asked why are the scores no higher on the ACT with longer classes and a trimester system. Superintendent Dale Lamborn, replied that “Our science scores were low and the science department said that science teachers felt that they did not have enough time to teach.

Principal Rick Larson said, “We are doing more assessments of students with local tests to see where the gaps are. Is it instructional or curriculum?  It does take away two periods to take concurrent enrollment.”  Monty Weston, Board Member, said that  it will take away from college credits,  but a tech class will not be required so that means only one class is affected.”

Larson said, “We do want to have more career and college readiness classes.    Usually the state will not accept middle school credit but they will in tech,  so we will offer it in middle school freeing up a credit in high school.  Board Member Scott Tollentino wants to give students more options to participate in BTC programs as well. 

The Board approved the changes  in graduation credits.