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

[Steve M. Carlson]

Maybe "we" need to start certifying programs that are Earth Science  
lab classes!  We could put together, if not already available,   
inquiry based criteria where a school could send in information and  
data certifying a lab based model.  Much like the National Board  
Certification model?  I am not aware of such a program, maybe it is  
already being done?  I retired some time ago!

On Jul 30, 2007, at 10:08 AM, Eric J. Pyle wrote:

> Just a suggestion, but one we are wrestling with here in Virginia -  
> do Colorado state college and university admissions offices specify  
> what counts as a science lab credit?  Virginia schools have  
> "suggestions" that omit Earth science.  While this does not  
> preclude Earth science as counting for admission, some institutions  
> may require the other three sciences prior to admission.  What do  
> you suppose is the case in Colorado?
>
> Regards,
> Eric Pyle
>
>
> ---- Original message ----
>> Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:01:17 -0600
>> From: "Amy Stevermer" <asteverm at ucar.edu>
>> Subject: [CESElist] chance for input: Colorado high school  
>> graduation requirements
>> To: ceselist at mailman.ucar.edu
>>
>> 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.
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________
>> COgradpolicyinput.doc (32k bytes)
>> ________________
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>
>
> Eric J. Pyle, Ph.D.
> Associate Professor
> Department of Geology and Environmental Science
> James Madison University
> MSC 6903
> Harrisonburg, VA  22807
>
> 540.568.7115
> 7100A Memorial Hall
>
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