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South awards CIM to 45 students The Road to CIM How reforms are changing our schools First Medford certificates fulfill education reforms By VICKI GUARINO After years of studying, testing, tutoring, special classes and more testing, the first Medford students to earn the new state Certificate of Initial Mastery, the CIM, are receiving their academic honors. South Medford High School awarded the CIM to 45 students, all juniors, on Thursday. North Medford High School will award the CIM to juniors in a ceremony today. High school juniors are the first class of students across the state to be eligible for the honor. The CIM indicates proficiency in writing, reading, math and speaking. The certificate is the culmination of education reforms begun in the 1991 Legislature. "You are pioneers," South Principal Cynda Rickert told students during the school's CIM celebration. "Being a pioneer can be difficult, but we are very glad you are leading the way." In addition to the CIM awards, students who have made progress toward the CIM also received certificates acknowledging the work they've accomplished and the subjects they still need to pass. Taken together, nearly 250 juniors in a class of about 360 have passed at least one of the four CIM subjects. Medford Mayor Lindsay Berryman applauded students' success, adding, "I know first-hand the importance of an educated citizenry. "You are the future leaders. I'm inspired by your accomplishments." Berryman told students their academic successes will serve them as they continue on for their diplomas, and later in college and on the job. More than ever before, she said, education will be the key to students' future earnings and career achievements. The Medford high schools are among just a few in the state to award the CIM in ceremonies this fall. Administrators at other Jackson County high schools say they haven't planned special CIM presentations. In Ashland, for example, the CIM has been incorporated into other curriculum requirements for graduation. Central Point will add the CIM designation to students' diplomas. Eagle Point High School may stage a CIM ceremony in the spring. Eagle Point Assistant Principal Lynn Eccleston said a CIM ceremony may help students see the significance of the new certificate as a sign of academic achievement. At South, Rickert thanked students for their effort, saying their successes show what the entire Medford School District can accomplish. And it was an effort, CIM students say. Some tests took months of study and days to complete. Erin Stephenson said the newness and uncertainties of the CIM process added to the difficulty. She and her classmates usually didn't know what to expect in the tests. Camarie Nistler praised teachers for their help, singling out one for special praise. "Our English teacher, Mrs. Chadwell, is phenomenal," Camarie said. "You feel smarter just sitting in her class," Erin agreed. Despite the newness of the CIM, both students say they've sensed a high level of community interest in the process. Adults they meet what to know whether they've passed the CIM, Camarie said. Parents of younger children have asked Erin what to expect. "People know it's something you need to pass," Camarie said. For students like David Hedberg, who still has tests to pass before earning the full CIM, the partial certificate was encouraging. "I'm close," David said, pointing out the notations for passing CIM writing and speaking standards. The Medford awards represent passing grades in tests last spring. The first of several scheduled retests were given last month, and students like David are awaiting the scores. David figures he passed reading on the second time around, but isn't sure about math. "I have a ways to go in math," he admitted, "but not too far." (Stories on how local schools are handling the CIM and related Oregon education reforms appear occasionally in the Mail Tribune. To reach education reporter Vicki Guarino, call 776-4476 or e-mail her at: [email protected] .) Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA