High+School+Reform+Hearing

** State Board of Education ** ** PUBLIC HEARING ** ** ON ** ** HIGH SCHOOL REFORM ** Notice is hereby given that the State Board of Education (Board) will conduct the first of several regional public hearings on topic of high school reform on Thursday, February 5, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium of Parkland Senior High School, 2700 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown.
 * Commonwealth of Pennsylvania **

The purpose of the hearing is to provide members of the Board with opportunities to listen to concerns and hear suggestions about ways to improve its proposal to strengthen its proposal to strengthen state high school graduation requirements. The Board’s proposal to change its high school graduation requirements were published in the May 17, 2008 edition of the //Pennsylvania Bulletin// ([|www.pabulletin.com]).

In May 2008, the Board published proposed regulations designed to strengthen the state’s high school graduation requirements. The proposed policy requires students to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, math, science and social studies by passing, in each subject, at least one of four testing options available to the high school. The options include: the PSSA exams administered in 11th grade; Graduation Competency Assessments which replace traditional end-of-course final course exams that are administered throughout a students’ high school education; independently validated local assessments; or, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams. The proposal stimulated considerable debate across the state. The debate focused on several issues. They include: what knowledge, skills and abilities must every high school graduate possess? How should we measure and assure that every high school graduate possesses these essential skills?

The first hearing will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009 in the Auditorium of Parkland Senior High School in Allentown. Additional hearing dates and locations will be announced in the future. The hearing at the Allentown location will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will run until all individuals who register in advance to present testimony do so.

Individuals must register in advance to present testimony at the hearing. 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) 7 87-3787 (TTY 717-783-8445), Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., by the February 4th deadline.

Testimony is limited to 10 minutes. Those registered to testify must provide 10 copies of their written testimony at the hearing. Organizations and groups that wish to have a spokesperson provide testimony on behalf of the organization or group are limited to one 10 minute time slot at this series of hearings. The organization or group may not present testimony at more than 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 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 at 00statbd@psupen.psu.edu