he San Benito High School Board of Trustees voted 4-1 approving
a shift in graduation requirements Wednesday that would increase
the number of academic credits required for graduation, but cut 15
credits overall from students’ high school career, starting with
the class of 2010.
Hollister – The San Benito High School Board of Trustees voted 4-1 approving a shift in graduation requirements Wednesday that would increase the number of academic credits required for graduation, but cut 15 credits overall from students’ high school career, starting with the class of 2010.
The change would require students to complete an extra five credits, or one semester, of mathematics than is currently required. This effectively imposes geometry as a graduation requirement, whereas currently students are required to pass only algebra.
For students who took algebra as eighth graders, they will be required to complete one advanced math class, such as trigonometry. The University of California requires that applicants complete at least algebra 2 to be considered for admission.
Representatives from both the Special and Migrant education departments expressed concerns that many of their students who already struggle with algebra would have a hard time meeting the new math requirements, should a geometry requirement be imposed.
“How do we go in four years from not knowing times tables to mastering geometry?” said Migrant Ed. Director Frank Muro. “That’s a big jump.”
Math Department Head Debbie Fisher pointed out, however, that many students who struggle with algebra have great success with geometry.
“Algebra is a lot more abstract, but you can actually manipulate geometry,” she said. “I’ve had parents come into my classroom and say ‘My daughter is feeling good about math for the first time.'”
The Board’s approval also created a new “World Cultures” requirement. Students will now have to take 10 credits of courses designed to foster an appreciation of the “global village,” which could include a foreign language or art and history oriented classes like Hispanic Literature or Asian History. The UC system requires at least two years of a foreign language for admission, and recommends three.
“We’re a little isolated here in San Benito County,” said SBHS Superintendent Jean Burns Slater. “We want to give students an opportunity to explore our diverse country and world because we’re all connected globally these days.”
World Geography, which was designed primarily as a study skills class to orient new students to a high school-level work load, has been replaced as a required freshman class and re-categorized as World Cultures elective.
Students will also be required to complete an additional semester of science, but Earth science is no longer required. Students will complete a year of biology, a year of physical science such as chemistry or physics, and a year of a science course of their choice.
Those who wish to graduate early now have the option of taking 12th grade English their senior year, a requirement which kept some students looking to leave early at SBHS in the past.
All told, the change requires students to add a 15 credits in new courses, but cuts 30 elective requirements, dropping the total number of credits needed for graduation to 220.
As of next year, SBHS will be operating on a six-class schedule, which means that a student would only be able to complete 240 credits, assuming he did not take on an optional seventh period or summer school. The rationale behind the changes is that students can take harder classes without worrying about falling behind if they do poorly.
“These requirements are closely aligned with UC entrance requirements for our students who are on the college track,” Slater said. “And if you’re not going you will still be challenged. All of our students will have a broad-based exposure to the arts, culture, and vocational skills, and that’s valuable no matter what you do.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336.
