As one of its many charges, the Successful, Curious, Lifelong Learners (SCLL) strategic team continues to make great gains to design the new Colorado graduation requirements beginning with the Class of 2021. SCLL has formed a Graduation Guidelines committee that includes both Testing Options and Capstone Options teams. Our mission is to align the new state graduation requirements to the vision of Boulder Valley School District.
Vision: We develop our children’s greatest abilities and make possible the discovery and pursuit of their dreams which, when fulfilled, will benefit us all. We provide a comprehensive and innovative approach to education and graduate successful, curious, lifelong learners who confidently confront the great challenges of their time.
Graduation Requirements
Beginning with the Class of 2021, new graduation requirements occur with the goal to ensure all students succeed after high school no matter which path they choose—jobs, military, or higher education. The change in graduation requirements means students must demonstrate their knowledge in subjects that reflect Colorado standards and 21st century skills in order to graduate from high school. Students must choose from a Menu of Options to show their competencies in English and Math.
The Menu of Options is anticipated to include both Capstone and Testing choices.
Members of the Graduation Requirements Committee held community feedback sessions at each high school to share information about the new graduation requirements and seek input from the community to guide the Graduation Requirements Committee.
Menu of Options
Beginning with the Class of 2021, students must meet both the English and Mathematical competencies through either a test or capstone. CDE has shared that districts may consider any of the linked testing and capstone options, and the BVSD Board will decide by December 2016, which of the menu options to approve.
BVSD Success Skills
In addition to demonstrating competence in English and Mathematics, students will also need to be proficient in the BVSD Success Skills. BVSD Success Skills refer to a set of knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits that contribute to a student’s success in collegiate programs, careers, and the workplace.
Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)
Per state law, all students in grades 6-12 are to have an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) that supports their post secondary plans. Thus, the Individual Career and Academic Plan Task Force formed to bring together a broader group of educators to support a student’s academic plan with career interests in mind. The team includes counselors, teachers, administrators, and district level support.
The Successful, Curious, Lifelong Learners (SCLL) strategic team will continue to develop the vision of the Boulder Valley School District so that all students’ may discover and pursue their dreams. Each of our teams — the Graduation Guidelines committee, Success Skills committee, and ICAP committee — are each advancing the Boulder Valley Success Effect for each of our students!
Additional updates will be provided at http://bvsdsuccesseffect.org/priorities/graduation-guidelines/.
By Michele DeBerry, Executive Director of Secondary School Leadership and Rhonda Haniford, Principal, Centaurus High School
Co-Chairs, Successful, Curious, Lifelong Learners Priority Action Team
Tags: graduation requirements, ICAP, learning, student success, success skills