Graduation requirements under review
by Sue Mroz of The Review staff
PLYMOUTH – The school district’s recently organized Graduation Requirements Subcommittee met on May 5 to discuss updates to the graduation requirements currently in effect.
Subcommittee members include School Board members Sue Feick, Sally Isely and Jerry Prahl; school administrators, Carrie Dassow, Anne Gamoke and Dan Mella; staff members Maggie Stielow and Darren Munson; business representative John Schwantes; Lakeshore Technical College representative Doug Gossen and UW-Sheboygan representative Al Hardersen.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Carrie Dassow, chairperson of the subcommittee, informed School Board members at their May 18 meeting about the subcommittee’s progress to date.
The subcommittee has prepared surveys for businesses and other groups, to seek their input regarding the updates for graduation requirements. Interests expressed to date for graduation requirement changes are that they:
.Need to be relevant to students’ future education, life skills and employment needs. .Should include 21st century skills, such as communication, initiative, teamwork and cooperation. .Should include a requirement for parent or guardian involvement in career planning. .Need to be flexible for students from special-needs programs. .Should require higher expectations in all areas, including employment skills and technical abilities. .Should not negatively impact viable electives leading to career options. .Should minimize the negative impact to any student or student subgroup.
.Should comply with state and federal laws. The next Graduation Subcommittee meeting will be held at 3 p.m., June 2 in the boardroom at Plymouth High School.
