[Mjhsteam] Inpute needed on Graduation Requirements-very important

[HOLLY COLE]

Mr. Kleinert,

 

Thanks for the message.  Has the State Board made public the reasons why
they are considering this new test?  Do they have some study, research,
some sort of performance comparison between our current system and some
other educational system that uses this test?  

 

The tone of your message is that you don't feel the test is necessary.
I'd like to send them some feedback; frankly I'm inclined to agree with
you just on the basis that we're getting too many mandated tests handed
down "from on high".  Before sending them any feedback I'd like to be
more knowledgeable about the issue.

 

Where can I go to obtain more info?

 

Thanks for your leadership.

 

Jesse Cole

 

-----Original Message-----
From: mjhsteam-bounces at lists.fsr.com
[mailto:mjhsteam-bounces at lists.fsr.com] On Behalf Of Kleinert, Dale
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 7:14 AM
To: _MJHS Team
Cc: Bechinski, Cindy; Celebrezze, Bob; Donicht, Candis
Subject: [Mjhsteam] Inpute needed on Graduation Requirements-very
important

 

November 7, 2008

 

Dear Parents, 

 

We have learned that the State Board of Education will be voting to
require students to pass a "High Stakes Science Test" in order to
graduate from high school.  We have been led to believe in various memos
from the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education
that this would begin with the class of 2013.  We just received a memo
that the Board will be voting to start the requirement with the class of
2012.  Based on our memos from the state we have anticipated and begun
planning for implementation of this high stakes testing in Science for
the current 8th grade students which is the class of 2013.

 

It is important to note that this "high stakes test" is not required by
No Child Left Behind, and would be delivered as an "integrated test".
The state required standards based curriculum that is delivered in
schools statewide is not integrated.  For example, this integrated test
would include information about all of the Sciences including Life
Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Biology, etc.  The test would
be given in the 10th grade and some of the material covered on the test
is delivered in the seventh grade (Life Science). 

 

Our programming is comprehensive and teachers make sure that all
students receive a quality and extensive experience that will help them
be successful in Science and all other courses.   The decision to add
one more hurdle for graduation will affect every student at Moscow
Junior High School and beyond.

 

It is vitally important that you contact the State Board of Education to
voice your concerns regarding this matter.   

 

The deadline for input is November 14.  Please take a minute or two and
let the State Board of Education know your feelings before this very
important vote.

 

Contact information:

 

Mike Rush Executive Director of the SBOE- mike.rush at osbe.idaho.gov

 

Tracie Bent Planning, Policy and HR Officer- tracie.bent at osbe.idaho.gov

 

Board Members: board at osbe.idaho.gov

Milford Terrell, President

Paul Agidius, Vice President

Sue Thilo, Secretary

Blake Hall, Member

Kenneth Edmunds, Member

Richard Westerberg, Member

Roderic Lewis, Member

Tom Luna, Ex-Officio Member

 

Mailing Address: 

Post Office Box 83720

Boise, Idaho 83720-0037

 

Physical Address:

650 West State Street

Boise, Idaho

 

Fax: 208-334-2632

 

Main SBOE office telephone: 208-334-2270

 

 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Dale Kleinert, Principal

Moscow Junior High School

 

 

 

 

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