| Curriculum Implications |
| 26 | What should schools do about writing their local curriculum guides? | Many schools begin writing their local curriculum guides in November of the preceding year. Until the State Board of Education passes new rules, schools should use the current diploma and graduation requirements in their local curriculum guides. Following the State Board's action on the Roundtable's recommendations, schools may wish to print an addedum for their incoming ninth graders. The Indiana Department of Education will provide suggested language for a curriculum guide addendum. |
| 27 | What 9th grade curriculum changes might be needed if the resolutions become rules? | The curriculum changes will vary at each school based on the curriculum that is currently being offered. Three components of the resolutions may impact the 9th grade course offerings. 1. Biology 1: The requirement of Biology 1 for all proposed diplomas (including the Minimum Diploma) may require some schools to adjust their course offerings in Life Science and Biology 1. Note: The science requirement states that students must take science content "from more than one (1) of the major science discipline categories, which are life science, physical science, and earth and space science." (511 IAC 6-7-6.1) 2. Social Studies: Social studies credits must include two (2) credits in World History and Civilization or two (2) credits in Geography and History of the World (a new course). Students may not satisfy this requirement by taking one credit in World History/Civilization and one credit in Geography and History of the World. The proposed Core 40 Diploma does not allow the one-semester Geography credit to count for the Core 40 social studies requirement. Geography: Schools would still be able to offer this one-semester course as a social studies elective but the course would no longer meet the Core 40 Social Studies requirement beginning in 2005-2006. Geography and History of the World: This new two-semester course will be taught by a licensed world geography teacher. A draft version of the standards will be available in February 2005 and voluntary professional development for teachers of this course will be offered in the summer of 2005. 3. Physical Education: The proposed Core 40 Diploma awards a full credit for each semester of Physical Education. Students will still take two semesters of PE, but will receive two credits for the two semesters. Important Note: In anticipation of this rule, schools may wish to create two PE courses in their student records system: 1) a ½ credit PE course for students in the classes of 2008 and earlier, and 2) a 1 credit PE course for students in the classes of 2009 and beyond. |
| 28 | Will all curriculum changes need to be made immediately? | Many schools have already made Core 40 their required curriculum. Schools that need to make curriculum changes related to the proposed diploma requirements may phase in those changes as the current eighth graders (Class of 2009) move through the various grade levels. For example, curriculum changes related to the senior year will not need to be in place until the 2008-2009 school year. Schools that need to make curriculum changes related to the proposed requirement for the Core 40 as a graduation requirement may phase in those changes as the current sixth graders (Class of 2011) move through the various grade levels. For example, curriculum changes related to the senior year would not need to be in place until the 2010-2011 school year. | 29 | What new courses will be available to help schools implement these requirements? | The following three courses will be available for the 2005-2006 school year to compliment the recommendations made by the Indiana Education Roundtable. <>br>Geography and History of the World Students develop and use the six elements of geography to better understand current events and issues facing the world today. These elements: The World in Spatial Terms, Places and Regions, Physical Systems, Human Systems, Enviroment and Society, and the Uses of Geography. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these elements of geography in a context of world history, primarily from 1450 to the present. Note: This new two-semester course will be taught by a licensed world geography teacher. A draft version of the standards will be available in February and voluntary professional development for teachers of this course will be offered next summer. Career Exploration Internship The Career Exploration Internship course is a paid or unpaid work experience in the public or private sector that provides for workplace learning in an area of student career interest. During the work experience, students are exposed to all aspects of a particular industry or career cluster area by rotating through various departments. In addition to their workplace learning students participate in 1) regularly scheduled meetings with their supervising teacher, or 2) a regularly scheduled seminar with the supervising teacher, for the purpose of helping the student make the connection between academic learning and their work-related experiences. A learning agreement ountlines the expectations of all parties - the student, parent, employer, and instructor. Advanced Career-Technical Education, College Credit Advanced Career-Technical Education, College Credit is a title covering (1) any advanced career-technical education course offered for credit by an accredited postsecondary institution through an adjunct agreement with secondary school or (2) any other postsecondary career-technical course offered for dual credit under the provisions of 511 IAC 6-10. |