[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6461463,"mediaKeyId","5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc","parentId",5824189,"title","Chester County board approves phased increase in high‑school credit requirement from 22 to 25","audioSeconds",1396,"startMs",1254000,"endMs",2650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc&start=1254&end=2650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461463/Tennessee/Chester-County-board-approves-phased-increase-in-highschool-credit-requirement-from-22-to-25","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461463-771c0a234536504960b4f05f53117c5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610589&Signature=PRx7Hm0TY80gz8LL4fSXoDQiTICgI8hIks5~Fydji6Jh7JXKsOUG7ijN3VJWJrICkZvxRng~C3sPL78JM2tJJN93AGuoBmo6bYFCkkqJRXw5-UaamoWdVGbRbyih11V-7PDMetzuz37c0oRnuJ2fPsBq6tjHSGgO73YL8i1fpTdwW4ageUGrMPAyl1ff8eiSWqBLWmYkVneQtGCnmgU7cZFFwLIJkw~wYTtwcAEzAg3ofM1TB80hISWYYfCmwKOdvzj49haUepMsmG8Mv2ubbjkIU6j4cEBP5jDY7PWqJWAzvvVcj3LKQOs7FF1el6gS7iDWt1XjYeaCojOynOMVEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chester County Schools","date","2025-09-24T12:30:45.16Z","article","The Chester County School Board voted to amend local graduation requirements to phase the district’s required high‑school credits from the current 22-credit state minimum to 25 credits over several years.

Under the change approved by the board, the current senior class will remain at 22 credits, the next junior class will be required to complete 23 credits, the following sophomore class 24 credits, and incoming freshmen will move toward a 25‑credit requirement in subsequent years.

Board members and staff described the change as a response to a return to a seven‑period, credit‑bearing school day at the high school and as a way to encourage students to use expanded opportunities, including work‑based learning and dual‑enrollment courses. Officials noted the State Board of Education requires a 22‑credit minimum and that the district’s proposal builds on, not replaces, those baseline requirements.

Discussion at the meeting included concerns that raising the credit total could create additional challenges for students who are already struggling academically. Several board members asked whether the change could lead to increased dropouts or put lower‑performing students at a disadvantage. District staff and other board members responded that intervention measures — such as summer school, early warning outreach by teachers to families, and other supports — would remain in place, and that many students can earn college credit or full‑year high‑school credit through dual‑enrollment programs.

Board members and staff also pointed to local practices that increase students’ ability to earn credit: with seven credit‑bearing periods and no study halls, students can earn more credits across four years; dual‑enrollment courses (including English Composition I) were described as substitutable for high‑school credits under state rules; and the district cited examples of students who complete postsecondary certifications or associate degrees while still in high school.

The board voted to approve the policy change after the discussion. No roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes; the motion was approved by voice vote.

What remains: district staff will implement the phased schedule and communicate changes to schools, students and families. The policy language approved at the meeting notes that the state minimum (22 credits) remains the baseline for current seniors and that the incremental increases apply to subsequent classes as described at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chester County Board of Education Meeting (Regularly Scheduled) September 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Chester County School Board voted to amend local graduation requirements to phase the district’s required high‑school credits from 22 to 25 over several years.","taxTitle","Chester County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",39981,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461458,"Votes at a glance: board approves fundraisers, suicide‑prevention proclamation and Jacks Creek property purchase",2388,1004000,3392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc&start=1004&end=3392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc/thumbnail_1004000.jpg","/articles/6461458/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-fundraisers-suicideprevention-proclamation-and-Jacks-Creek-property-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461458-85c66e258325cd275bf82e79ec89d09b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610589&Signature=f8Og5u60q1~c5bOsJNlfSXGLv8NPU5LsJsc~W3n~bVbrEWjlQkS84~f5GIKnZdDw5fgs0SHaMkIiXV-mfnodwYAyS9ywEE4j8O74Fp6lpL7k7bHjewnHvqXnhue7iRbMyOnhAAL2hG42qmINm25TUuqTTFOKw4rzPFyX~ok8L0ydtFlMnHMd9r1SdhJt1AUdqLyiOfJzvAUzRKJ0kxfohvJ~Pae~APepfk3hGegA~xhfja0doVpIaWVlfNpIFEyzBYQKIGGP-hBpbDu48erayDl6GtuWgIOhUTBs1xDck6iprA6wbKGOzi49NPLnrWpf5XKSMEG2t2gWilYxiD1VSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chester County School Board recorded several formal actions at its September meeting at Westchester Elementary, including authorization of school fundraisers, approval of a suicide‑prevention proclamation, and the purchase of additional property near Jacks Creek Elementary.

Votes and outcomes

- Consent agenda: Approved by voice vote. (Motion made and seconded; no roll‑call tally recorded.)

- Authorization of school fundraisers: The board authorized the 2023–24 list of fundraisers submitted by schools and PTOs. District staff reported 93 fundraisers on the submitted spreadsheet and said most requests came from the high school because of athletics, clubs and homecoming activities. Motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote.

- Proclamation recognizing suicide‑prevention month: The board voted to sign a proclamation from the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network recognizing the month; the board will sign hard copies after the meeting and provide them to the network. Motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote. The request came from Emily Lund, Southwest Regional Director, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, who had asked the board to sign the proclamation.

- Purchase of property at Jacks Creek Elementary: The board approved purchase of roughly one acre adjacent to the school for $3,500 to clear and beautify the campus frontage. The seller, Carl Nichols, had previously performed brush clearing in lieu of money for earlier property adjustments; board discussion noted maintenance considerations and plans to seek local maintenance help before large clearing work. Motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote.

- Selection of officers: The board selected officers for the coming year by acclamation. Ben Couples was confirmed as vice chairman by acclamation; the board also named a legislative representative by acclamation.

Where vote details were not recorded as roll call, the meeting transcript records voice votes and acclamations. The motions were generally made and seconded on the record; specific roll‑call tallies were not provided in the meeting transcript.","The Chester County School Board approved a slate of routine and substantive items in its September meeting: authorization of the school year’s fundraisers, a proclamation recognizing suicide‑prevention month, and purchase of an acre of land adjacent to Jacks Creek Elementary for $3,500. The board also approved the consent agenda and officer seats.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461454,"Westchester Elementary highlights student successes, level‑5 literacy and new programs",277,473000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc&start=473&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824189-0398acd245a69ba0818a2d36b5e1ecbc/thumbnail_473000.jpg","/articles/6461454/Tennessee/Westchester-Elementary-highlights-student-successes-level5-literacy-and-new-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461454-890b5b0f23e3f0834ac5e4a46600ab05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770610589&Signature=E0~x~4zTHhUeh-lYxiCyVjCM4VvDHIozc60QocZ6v7C2VZ8H362b0VyvyAr-MgejXDY1rAsyevu4mblEULiYQNUK3uImpYnDAf2k2OA5Al5igrzLwXKLgjTiRpt3nGjynG6lZuJ3oG7PsOZELy~R6RS5YOwbFBA6V8bVGqqsViegRcoKKY8Go0oCB5xz81CRowxzWhboZTTVtNY0T9qPxWjsUiZGQnPC2GOsy93f3gOhHZK3evGatow~M8EV0SC87UWuH~lAIZAIR3Lxx05yJgiVoEVBBelJCkUTnobdOm6YmQBvWXrmWf9H0jIj1T1nAqjgFTydGz0S-Lzg7DWjsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westchester Elementary staff presented student performance highlights and school activities at the Chester County School Board meeting held at the school.

School leaders reported that 72.46% of second‑grade students met or exceeded expectations in reading; second grade likewise met its annual measurable objective (AMO). Math results for second grade were reported at 59.4% meeting or exceeding expectations. Third grade reading was reported at 60.29% meeting or exceeding expectations. The school said it earned a Level‑5 rating overall, with literacy rated a 5 and numeracy a 3, and that a goal is to raise numeracy to Level 5.

Staff described daily classroom routines such as an “Eagles score matrix” that highlights behavior expectations (show self‑control, hone a positive attitude, act responsibly and respect others), a weekly word focus, and student‑produced videos used for announcements. A STEM unit and donated materials were highlighted, and the school noted new reading bikes in the refurbished library and PTO support that funded a cafeteria repaint.

The school also described a gun‑safety presentation delivered by Jeremy Hurst and said staff and volunteers have supported student activities including a planned staff‑vs‑student kickball game tied to behavior incentives.

Speakers thanked teachers who covered for a vacancy in third grade by sharing students across classrooms to provide stable instruction and praised PTO participation and community volunteers. The presentation emphasized the schoolwide effort to support students across grade levels and the use of enrichment and career‑oriented experiences as part of student development.","Board members visited Westchester Elementary and heard a presentation from school staff celebrating test results and student activities: second grade AMOs met, third grade reading and literacy recognized as strong, enrichment videos, STEM projects, gun‑safety lessons and PTO support were highlighted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chester County board approves phased increase in high‑school credit requirement from 22 to 25

Votes at a glance: board approves fundraisers, suicide‑prevention proclamation and Jacks Creek property purchase

Westchester Elementary highlights student successes, level‑5 literacy and new programs