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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 23, 2006 Local students match state CIM rates Phoenix-Talent students had the most dramatic jump, with 14 percent of grads earning Certificates of Initial Mastery By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune The number of Jackson County students graduating with a Certificate of Initial Mastery rose by 3 percent between 2004 and 2005, according to an annual report by the Oregon Department of Education. The increase mirrors the state trend in the number of students graduating with the certificate, which is meant to show mastery of basic academic skills. To earn the CIM, students must meet certain standards in math, reading, science, writing and public speaking and provide work samples. Between 2004 and 2005, the number of students graduating with a CIM increased in Central Point, Medford, Phoenix-Talent and Rogue River school districts. The Phoenix-Talent district had the most dramatic jump in the percentage of students graduating with a CIM: 14 percent. Advertisement "We narrowed down and motivated kids to earn their CIM," said Jani Hale, principal of Phoenix High School. "We give them a fancy ribbon to wear. We make it a point of pride." The Rogue River district came in second with a 5 percent climb in the number of graduates with a CIM. The Medford district showed a 4 percent increase in the number of graduates with a CIM. In Central Point, the number of graduates with a CIM went up by 2 percent. Ashland, Butte Falls, Eagle Point and Prospect had slight declines. Ashland had more students with CIMs 2004-05, but they represented a smaller portion of a larger graduating class. Students are not required to earn the CIM to graduate, and some students achieve the certificate in four years without meeting graduation requirements. Colleges don’t consider the certificate in admissions, nor do employers use it in hiring. As a result, students have little motivation to seek the certificate. State Superintendent Susan Castillo has proposed eliminating the CIM and possibly making some of its standards a part of high school graduation requirements. The State Board of Education is in the process of revising high school graduation requirements. A final proposal could be available for public comment by March or April, said ODE spokesman Gene Evans. However, educators say the CIM helps them determine whether they are teaching the skills pupils need to go on to college or the work force. "The intent of CIM was to make sure students from Butte Falls and Medford have the same standards as students in Lake Oswego and Ashland," said Phoenix High’s Hale. The certificate also gives students a sort of proof of competency as they graduate from high school, educators say. "Early on in school reform, it was perceived that the CIM might be used for employment and college entrance," said Linda Bradshaw, a counselor at North Medford High School. "While that has lost momentum, we feel like it’s a feather of competency in a student’s cap." Reach reporter Paris Achenat 776-4459 or e-mail Local students match state CIM rates ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Debt Consolidation Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Advertisement s Advertisement