Judy Seckler
DOWNTOWN -- In response to a new state law requiring high school
students to pass an exam to receive their diplomas, the Glendale school
board will have its first update today regarding the test.
The law will go into effect in fall 2000 with the ninth graders,
Deputy Supt. of Educational Services Don Empey said.
Empey added that ninth-grade students could volunteer to take the exam
in the spring. However, the test is mandatory in the 10th grade. The exam
is based on state standards English up to the 10th grade, and the math
portion is based on first-year algebra taught between the eighth and 10th
grades.
"If students don't pass a section, they can retake it up through their
senior year," he said.
School board member Lina Harper said she was concerned about the math
requirements. Students in the district are presently being taught algebra
at different grade levels and the district is transitioning to teaching
the course in eighth grade, she said. Harper also wants students with
limited English skills to be given more time to take the test.
The exit exam is being piloted this month in other districts. The
results will determine if the test needs to be fine-tuned.
"The transition may be difficult, but it will take place one way or
the other," Harper said.
ON THE AGENDA
The Glendale Unified School District Board of Education will meet at
3:30 p.m. today in the administration center at 223 N. Jackson St. for
discussion, information and closed session. The board will meet at 7 p.m.
for acknowledgments, recognitions, consent and action items.
The board will discuss the following items:
* Status report on Measure K projects
* The preliminary budget for 2000-01
The board will receive information on the following items:
* Student safety in response to the recent slaying at Hoover High
* Clark Magnet Applications and Entrance
The board will take action on the following items:
* Middle school promotion requirements
* Filing for consolidated funding to the state
