NJ-SP School Board Learns More About Graduation Pathways

Posted on January 2, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

North Judson-San Pierre School Board members are now more informed about the new state-required graduation pathways expected to apply to incoming freshman in the 2019-2020 school year.

Jr./Sr. High School Principal Jim Polite provided a detailed presentation about the anticipated changes during the school board’s final meeting in 2018.

Polite explained that beginning with the class of 2023, students who are currently in 8th grade, will be required to complete a graduation pathway to be eligible to receive a diploma.

Polite noted that there is an advantage to this for students in higher grade levels who struggle with ISTEP testing, as they will have the opportunity to graduate through fulfilling pathway requirements instead of relying on their test scores.

The principal shared that here are three components of the graduation pathway. Students still have to earn a total of 42 credits through out their high school career.

While the number of credits required has not changed, Polite said there will be more of an emphasis on students getting all their credits as freshman and sophomores so they can fulfill other obligations associated with the new graduation pathways method.

Under the new requirements, students must demonstrate employability skills and display postsecondary-ready competencies.

There are a few different ways that NJ-SP students will be able to demonstrate employability skills; through project-based, service-based or work-based learning experiences. Polite explained that athletics, clubs and academic teams will count toward this component.

He noted that it will include a reflective element, where students will be required to explain how their participation assisted with developing employability skills.

Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin added that coaches and sponsors will review the student reflections to ensure that they’re accurately describing their level of involvement.

Ways that students can fulfill the post-secondary competency requirement will be by either earning a technical or academic honors diploma, achieving the required scores on the ACT, SAT or ASVAB, or earning so many credits in AP or dual-credit courses.

Students could also fulfill this requirement by completing a career and technical education concentration area through vocational education or completing an approved apprenticeship.

Polite mentioned that this component may prove difficult for some but school officials are working to make sure all necessary resources will be available, should a student require additional guidance.   

Polite shared one of the benefits of the new requirements, stating that it is more personalized and gives students the chance to explore their specific field of interest prior to entering the workforce or heading off to college.

However, he also shared some challenges that he expects to face, such as establishing a consistent procedure of tracking and monitoring a student’s progress and making sure that the school corporation continues to offer as many opportunities as they can so students can achieve these new requirements.

School officials continue to fine-tune NJ-SP’s graduation pathways procedures but Polite said he just wanted to highlight some of the general information about the changes so that school board members would be aware of what’s to come.