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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 5, 2003 Requirements for graduation rise in Medford By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Starting in September, the Medford School District will raise the bar on high school graduation requirements for students in the class of 2007 and beyond. Curriculum Director Phil Long said the changes will require incoming freshmen to take an additional year of math if they fall behind and a senior seminar to help them prepare for life beyond high school. "It’s a way to ensure that we’ve really supported the kids," Long said. "We’ve really focused our curriculum more." The new requirements, adopted by the school board in May, mark the second round of changes made to high school graduation requirements this year. Advertisement In April, the district reduced the number of high school credits students could earn from 30 to 24, a decision that will save an estimated $326,000. The state requires 22 credits to graduate. Long said under the latest changes, students who fail either algebra or geometry — courses taken during the freshman and sophomore year — must take a third year of mathematics. Long is hopeful the change will enable more students to meet the state’s math requirements. Students who don’t meet all state requirements cannot earn their certificate of initial mastery. CIM is a series of academic benchmarks required by the state as part of an education reform package passed in 1991. Students are tested in third, fifth, eighth and 10th grades. Although roughly 50 percent of Medford’s graduating seniors in 2002 passed the CIM, only 40 percent of all students in the district currently meet the state’s math requirements. Figures for 2003 won’t be available until October. State math curriculum specialist Ginger Redlinger said the new requirements will help Medford students as they enter the job market. She noted that the state now urges students to complete algebra during eighth grade, allowing freshmen to take more advanced courses such as geometry, statistics and probability. "The economy of today, the economy of the future, requires a much higher problem-solving background in mathematics," Redlinger said. "It’s critical that students start earlier." School board Chairman Mike Moran agrees. "It’s a good idea. It’s a bit of a safety net. Any job will have math requirements," he said. "Personally, I have limited math skills, so hopefully this program we’ve made will help some kids redeem themselves." In addition to the math changes, students will now be required to take a new one-semester course during their senior year. The class, called Senior Seminar, is still being developed, noted Long. It is designed to help students focus on a career or college education after graduation. Students will be able to choose from a menu of options, ranging from information about scholarships and financial aid to the college or vocational school application process. "We haven’t flushed all that out," said Long. "It’s really about having a clear picture of what they’re going to do after high school." Other graduation changes include completing career-related planning and learning activities that will help students develop long-range plans for a career after high school. Students also will be required to take four electives that relate to those post-high school goals. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times