Tougher high school graduation standards approved by state board

To improve results, increase accountability

Education officials are now promoting the plan and recommending to lawmakers that they propose legislation in the 2009 General Assembly to implement it.

The plan will increase required graduation credits from 20 to 25 and is centered on helping more students in Connecticut succeed through a focus on three main concepts:
• Engagement — to improve students’ academic achievement and help them develop healthy lifestyles, character, positive attitudes, social responsibility and citizenship.
• Rigor — to increase students’ depth of understanding of what they’re learning and help them see how their knowledge and skills will apply to the world at large.
• 21st century learning — to go beyond the basics and make sure that today’s students know how to find and use information in a variety of media and formats, so that they can solve problems creatively and logically.

Closer measurement of students’ progress and greater accountability for results will tie these concepts together. Everyone — including principals, teachers, parents and students themselves — will play a key role. Accountability will mean using benchmarks to review standards and achievements, the quality and success of teaching, what’s being learned in every course, and the school environment.

Though the entire program will cost approximately $184 million, officials are planning to phase in the reforms over eight years because of the difficult economy and tight state budget. The first four years would involve 25 school districts, at a cost of about $8 million to $10 million per year. Starting in the fifth year, it would be rolled out statewide, at an annual cost of $30 million.

CBIA urges lawmakers to give careful consideration to these reforms and how necessary they are to make sure the next generation has the essential tools to succeed.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Jesmin Basanti at 860-244-1929 or jesmin.basanti@cbia.com.