High+School+Reform+031309

code From: "Buckheit, James"  Subj: Public Hearing on High School Reform - Philadelphia - March 13 Date: Wed Mar 4, 2009 3:47 pm Size:  4K To: cc: "Buckheit, James" ; "Wynn, Deborah" ; "Baker, Barbara" 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Education PUBLIC HEARING ON HIGH SCHOOL REFORM

Notice is hereby given that the State Board of Education (Board) will conduct the second of several regional public hearings on topic of high school reform on Friday, March 13, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in the Montgomery Auditorium, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway).

The purpose of the hearing is to provide members of the board an opportunity to listen to concerns and hear suggestions about ways to improve its proposal on state high school graduation requirements. The Board published its proposal in the May 17, 2008 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin ([|www.pabulletin.com]).

In May 2008, the Board published proposed regulations designed to strengthen high school graduation requirements. In addition maintaining the current requirements (course completion and grades, satisfactory completion of a culminating project and proficiency in the standards not assessed by state tests) the policy requires students to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, math, science and social studies through one or a combination of allowable testing options. The options include: PSSA exams administered in 11th grade; Graduation Competency Assessments (which replace traditional end-of-course final course exams); independently validated local assessments; or, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams.

The policy proposal stimulated considerable debate across the state. The debate focused on several issues. Primary among these are: What are the minimum skills, knowledge and abilities that students should have in order to earn a high school diploma? How should schools measure whether students actually meet these requirements?

Individuals must register in advance to present testimony at the hearing. The deadline to register for this hearing is Wednesday, March 11. Participants will be assigned a time at which they are to provide their testimony. Participants will be assigned a ten-minute time slot when they register. Persons interested in presenting testimony must telephone the State Board of Education office at (7l7) 787-3787 (TTY 717-783-8445), Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the deadline listed for each location listed below.

Testimony is limited to no more than 10 minutes. Those registered to testify must provide 10 copies of their written testimony at the hearing. Individuals representing an organization or affiliation are limited to one 10 minute time slot and that organization may only present testimony at one hearing location.

Individuals with disabilities needing special accommodations in order to participate or attend the hearings, such as sign language interpreter services, must contact the State Board of Education office at the above listed telephone number by the deadline date for registration at each session. Alternative formats of the documents (e.g. Braille, large print, cassette tape) can be made available to members of the public upon request to the State Board Office.

Individuals unable to attend the hearing are encouraged to submit written testimony directly to the State Board of Education on or before 4:00 p.m. on March 13, 2009. Copies of testimony will be shared with each member of the State Board. Comments should be sent to:

State Board of Education 333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17126 0333 Mail to: 00statbd@psupen.psu.edu

Persons with disabilities are invited to submit testimony in alternative formats such as Braille or taped testimony and via the telephone. Written and alternative formats of testimony will be afforded the same thoughtful consideration by the Committee as oral testimony. Written and alternative formats of testimony may be as long as the writer wishes; 10 copies of written testimony are required.

Should registrants scheduled to provide testimony need to cancel their participation, the State Board requests that they immediately notify the State Board office by calling (717) 787-3787 or via email to babaker@state.pa.us

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