The current freshmen and incoming freshmen now have to meet new graduation requirements.
With the new graduation requirements, Mrs. Burke, the principal at Palmer, said that the freshman will “have to take math all four years” which allows them to get the four extra credits. Along with that there are new ways to earn your credits, Mrs. Burke explained, “if you take a class that is proficient in reading, writing, or mathematics, you can earn a math or English credit.” For example if you take personal finance, it can count as a math credit.
“If you are working a job that aligns your future career and you work 60 hours you can earn a credit,” Mrs. Burke said, explaining how it counts as CTE. These changes not only allow students to focus on the seven IB learner traits but they also allow students to focus on their future careers and get a jumpstart on that.
The new requirements carry benefits. Mrs. Burke explains, “The new requirements encourage students to think about their plans after high school.” On the contrary she doesn’t see any negatives other than, “People don’t understand. There are no downsides once they understand.”
Many people are unaware of the new requirements entail or even that there are changes. Starla Nipp said the only thing she knew about them was that she will “need to get 50 credits instead of 46.” When the changes were explained Starla said, “It will be more beneficial and give more opportunities,” but it can be a problem for those who “might not know what to do.” She said that it made her feel “stressed” because now she feels pressured to know what she wants to do after high school.
The new requirements have a lot of benefits. These benefits include more flexibility for students to pick whatever classes they want without them being required classes, which in turn can give them more free time as well when it comes to their junior and senior year. This also gives students the opportunity to recover their credits. If they fail a class, they can take the class again online or if they want to earn extra credits, they can take classes online, which would get them ahead of where they’re supposed to be.
More benefits are that they allow for students to think about the bigger picture – AKA their futures after high school. Students will also be able to take classes that were originally electives as main credits. By your junior year, you will have 46 credits which will grant you a free period if you have all your main core credits done. By your senior year when you have basically all your credits, it gives you more time for internships and job opportunities and to really solidify your future.
