School board studies tiered diploma options, staff to survey students and teachers

The school board met in a study session to review proposals for changing high school diploma offerings and to consider a tiered structure that would keep the current 24-credit standard diploma while adding an advanced/honors option requiring additional credits. Dr. Kyla Hall, the district presenter, laid out comparative data from other districts and states and recommended narrowing options and surveying students, teachers and counselors before any change is adopted.

The discussion matters because the district’s baseline diploma currently requires 24 credits and staff data show the majority of students already earn more than that minimum; the board debated whether raising minimums or creating a second advanced diploma would improve college and career readiness or risk excluding students who struggle with attendance and engagement. "I want students to leave with choices," Dr. Kyla Hall said, summarizing the district’s stated goal.

Staff presented enrollment and course-taking data, showing that at the three comprehensive high schools a majority of graduates already take more than 27 credits (East 61 percent, Highland 73 percent, West 56 percent). The presentation explained that staffing allocations are based on average daily membership (ADM) and a planning ratio of roughly 30.2 students per teacher; teacher FTE are allotted by grade-level student counts rather than by how many periods an individual teacher carries. Dr. Hall said…