Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/22 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Kel Seliger, an Amarillo Republican who chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee, wants to scrap requirements that students take four years each of math, science, English and social studies.
Instead, students would take four credits in English, three in math and social studies, and two in science and foreign language under a new system Seliger called the Foundation High School Program.
Just saw this today, but it's relatively old news. This seems like a bad idea to me.
I'd rather pear down the 10 electives to 5, and require additional math and science classes. Especially considering how terrible the math & science scores are in schools. So bad in fact, that we are having to recruit from overseas for techie jobs that American's are not qualifying for.
On the other hand, I agree that there are way too many standardized tests. Why can't high school be treated like college? Divide the school year into 4 semesters, with a mid-term and final in each semester. Don't pass? Don't continue. Trash the standardized tests, and then teachers will have no reason to "teach to the test."
I think a lot of the problem has to do with parents. Free & public education is great. I appreciate it. Unfortunately, parents and students are not held accountable for bad grades. I don't get it. This is why I am graduate with a degree in History and Special Education, and absolutely no desire to actually teach in the school system.