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PSS raising the bar
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Posted on Jul 04 2005
The Board of Education is seeking to impose stricter training requirements for teachers and other employees, as well as more rigid standards for junior and senior high school students.
In a public notice, BOE chair Roman Benavente announced the board’s plan to require teachers to complete 60 hours of training per year to maintain their standard and professional teaching certifications.
Further, Benavente proposed regulations instituting more rigorous course and graduation requirements for students in the junior and senior high schools by setting forth specific subject area requirements and increasing credits for high school graduation.
Under the draft amendments, certain PSS employees must submit proof of completion of 60 hours per year of seminars, workshop, or in-service training when they renew their standard certificate with endorsement—renewed every five years—and their professional certificate—renewed every 10 years.
Employees affected by the new regulations include teachers, librarians, school counselors, and related service providers.
Further, students entering 7th grade in the school year 2005-2006 will be required to complete a minimum of 11 credits in language arts, algebra, social studies, and science, among other subjects, to be promoted to high school.
Graduation requirements for high school students were raised from a minimum of 21 credits to 28 credits. Required subjects constitute 23 credits, rather than the previous 16 credits, in subject areas such as literature and composition; technical research/business writing; algebra and geometry; history, government and economics; and environmental science, biology and chemistry.
These amendments will be effective for students entering 9th grade in the coming school year.
“The board believes that the proposed amendments will clarify professional development requirements and establish rigorous standards for credits and courses at the secondary level to ensure quality education for our students,” said Benavente.
