[CESElist] chance for input: Colorado high school graduation requirements

[Amy Stevermer]

To Colorado CESE folks,

Colorado House Bill 07-1118 is moving forward. The bill requires the
Colorado State Board of Education to develop state-wide high school
graduation requirements. As currently written, the goal is not to
require specific courses, however, there is movement to define the
number of credits in a subject area (for instance, 3 years of science)
that must be completed by all Colorado high school students. 

The State Board is also currently collecting feedback on the state's
model content standards. 

Attached are links to the standards and to HB 07-1118, as well as a
survey form from Edie Hudak on the State Board of Ed. Certainly there is
compelling info regarding the importance of Earth system science
education at the high school level that can be brought to the Board's
attention.

Colorado Model Content Standards: Science
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/documents/standards/science.pdf

Colorado House Bill 07-1118 
http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/5CBD607BCDE3BC2E87257251007B68B5?Open&file=1118_enr.pdf




> SUMMARY OF HB 07-1118
>
> On or before July 1, 2008, the State Board of Education must adopt
> “a comprehensive set of guidelines for the establishment of high
> school graduation requirements” that each school district must
> meet or exceed. These are to be minimum standards or basic core
> competencies or skills, not specific courses or proficiency levels.
>
> On or before August 1, 2007, the State Board must begin to receive
> public comment on the adequacy of the existing state model content
> standards.
>
> Among the factors that the State Board must take into account when 
> creating the guidelines are:
> Recommendations from Governor Owens’ Education Alignment Council.
> Recommendations from Governor Ritter’s P-20 Council.
> Admissions standards established by the Colorado Commission on
> Higher Education for students entering 4-year education
> institutions in Colorado.
> The state’s model content standards, particularly in math,
> science, reading, and writing.
> Skills and competencies necessary to succeed in the 21st century.



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