Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 1, 2007 issue
Regional Meetings To Focus on New High School Core Course of Study
Story by Kathleen McFadden
The State Board of Education and NC Department of Public Instruction are holding eight regional meetings to gather public input on the implementation of a new high school core course framework. In December, the State Board approved the core framework for high school students.
The regional meetings being held closest to Watauga and Avery counties are on the following dates and at the following locations:
• Monday, February 12, Forbush High School, East Bend, Yadkin County
• Thursday, March 22, Buncombe County Schools Central Office, Asheville
Each regional meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Participants do not have to preregister, but sign-ins will begin approximately 30 minutes before each meeting starts. Educators, parents, students, business leaders and others with an interest in high school requirements are encouraged to attend to learn more about the new core course of study and to provide input into its implementation.
The new core course framework raises expectations for many high school students who may have been enrolled in the career or college tech prep courses of study. All students who begin the ninth grade in the fall of 2008 and later—this year's seventh graders and below—will now prepare for graduation by completing the same 21-unit core courses. The new core includes the following requirements:
• 4 units of English
• 4 units of mathematics
• 3 units of science
• 3 units of social studies
• 2 units of a second language
• 1 unit of health/physical education
• An endorsement of at least four units in one of the following areas: Career-Technical, Arts education, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC), Advanced Placement/Internal Baccalaureate, second language or other.
Most students already take the core classes, but the new core raises the standard by requiring four mathematics courses and second language study for all students. The endorsement requires students to select an area of emphasis for their high school work with an eye to college work, career or both.
The other state graduation requirements will continue to be in place: passing the end-of-course tests in Algebra I, English I, US History, Civics and Economics and Biology and completing a graduation project. Local boards of education will continue to have the authority to add to the state requirements. The new core will not affect students with disabilities who qualify for the occupational course of study.
The core framework of courses will not be one-size-fits-all. Students will select specific courses within the 21 requirements and there will be opportunities for course substitutions in some cases. Details about how course substitutions will be allowed, how second language instruction will be provided and the particulars of the AP/IB endorsements, as well as other issues, remain to be answered.