High School Graduation Plan - Peoria Public Schools District 150

High School Graduation Plan
                                    Peoria Public Schools District 150

Peoria Public Schools Strategic Plan – Our Path to 2020
Mission: Ensure that each student reaches his or her full academic and personal potential and is a
well-balanced citizen.
Vision: We take pride in educating and graduating each student prepared and inspired to contribute
to the world.
Values:

   •   Excellence that knows no fear of new and different ways
   •   Respect that recognizes differences and values people as they are
   •   Integrity that speaks the truth and acts with honor
   •   Collaboration that finds solutions and produces results
   •   Communication that builds understanding and enthusiasm
   •   Commitment and Accountability that foster action and achievement

Positioning Statement: Growing a world class district by redefining teaching and learning.

Plan for Pillar 1 of Strategic Plan: High Standards, Rigorous College and Career Curricula, and
Engaged and Relevant Experiences

   •   Implement the new Illinois Learning Standards in all content areas for all students
   •   Provide differentiated and responsive professional learning opportunities for staff
   •   Re-conceptualize technology for learning and instruction
   •   Restructure schools with innovative designs throughout district
   •   Provide alternative learning experiences for students
Philosophy of the High School Graduation Plan:
It is the philosophy of Peoria Public Schools to provide each individual student with educational and
career options that will allow them to graduate and pursue their future endeavors without the pressure
of performing relative to peers.
This will be achieved by offering educational and/or career options according to each student’s
interests; rigorous educational experiences; providing interventions; reducing graduation credits, and
providing flexibility in scheduling and awarding of credits.
Recommendation 1 regarding Class Rank: Class rank would be replaced with a new academic
recognition distinction beginning with the graduating class of 2020 and all subsequent classes.

Valedictorian and salutatorian distinctions would be replaced by the Latin system of recognition, i.e.,
Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude.
                          Illinois Schools that have Eliminated Class Rank
 McLean Co. Unit 5                                       Wheaton N and Wheaton- Warrensville
 Lake Zurek                                              Oak Park-River Forest
 Downers Grove (N and S)                                 Naperville Central and North
 Warren High School                                      Indian Plains, Matea, Neuqua and Waubonise
 Maine (E, W, and S)                                     John Hensley HS
 Geneva High School                                      Lyons
 Hinsdale South and Central                              York Community HS
 Evanston Township HS                                    Maine East, South and West
 New Trier                                               Conant, Fremd, Paletine and Schaumberg
 Deerfield                                               Niles North and West
 Highland Park                                           Barrington HS
 Lake Forest                                             Glenbrook North and South
 Antioch and Lakes Community HS                          St. Charles East and West
 Stevenson HS                                            Bradley-Bourbannais Community HS
 Libertyville                                            Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove and Hersey, Prospect, Rolling
                                                         Meadows and Wheeling
 Morton HS                                               Vernon Hills

Facts about Class Rank:
   •   Class rank sorts students based on performance relative to peers (unintended outcome).
   •   Class rank creates unnecessary stress for our students and parents and does not always allow
       students to follow their personal aspirations regardless of pursuing a weighted grade.
   •   Without the pressure of class rank, students may be more likely to take classes based on
       personal interest/career path, rather than primarily considering weighted coursework.
   •   High school students frequently ask for their rank, fixate on weighted coursework and
       manipulate their schedule to gain an advantage over peers.
   •   Students may avoid rigorous/weighted courses due to the fear of damaging their class rank.
   •   College admissions departments rely less on class rank than ever before.
                          Importance of Class Rank in College Admissions

                         Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling
College Comments regarding Class Rank:

 Bradley – “If a school uses rank, we will utilize that information and if a school does not, it is
     okay. A student's individual academic information is the foundation of our review process for
     admission and scholarship eligibility, so we look heavily at GPA and test scores…”
    ICC – “Class rank and GPA are not used for general admission in to ICC…”
    Midstate – “…use an entrance exam…have never used class rank."
    Illinois – “…most important is always rigor and grades…not detrimental to get rid of rank.”
    Iowa – “…no rank criteria for admission or scholarships…won’t have an effect.”
    Missouri – “Rank is a non-issue…we make an equivalence for kids from non-ranking schools.”
    Ball State –”…we look at students‟ performance, not how they compare to the rest of their class.”
    Illinois State – “Illinois State has not used ranking in the admission consideration process since
     2005/2006…”
    Drake – “So many schools don’t rank anymore and we don’t consider it.”
       According to a report by the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), over
                            half of all high schools no longer report student rankings.
Proposed New Levels of Recognition:
   •   The Sterling Merit Scholars will continue to be recognized for exemplary academic performance.
   •   Cum Laude “with honor” will be granted to students with GPAs of 4.25 – 4.49.
   •   Magna Cum Laude “with great honor” will be granted to students with GPAs of 4.50 – 4.74.
   •   Summa Cum Laude with highest honor” will be granted to students with GPAs of 4.75 and
       higher.
   •   Recognized students would wear colored chords during the graduation ceremony.
   •   Graduating class will select commencement speaker.

With the Latin system, there will be a need to assure that each high school offers enough enriched,
Advanced Placement, and dual credit courses to enable students to take in order to achieve these
recognition honors.

Proposed Recognition Plan:

   •    Class of 2018 – Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named
   •    Class of 2019 – Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named
   •    Class of 2020 – Cum, Magna, & Summa Cum Laude Recognition
   •    Class of 2021 – Cum, Magna, & Summa Cum Laude Recognition
   •    Class of 2022 – Cum, Magna, & Summa Cum Laude Recognition

Recommendation 2 regarding Graduation Credits: Change the number of credits from 26 to 24,
with a range from 24-28 credits a student could earn during 4 years of high school. Reducing the
number of required credits would provide students an extra period in the 7 period day for tutoring,
enrichment opportunities, interventions, electives, and/or internships.
Historically, the number of graduation credits required for graduation was increased from 22 to 26 in
2011. With a 7 period day, students no longer had the option of a study hall nor did staff have the
flexibility to provide interventions during the school day. During the period of time from 2010 to 2015,
the district’s graduation rate dropped from 90% to 65%.

Following are the Illinois State Board of Education minimum high school graduation requirements (105
ILCS 5/27-22(e):
   1. Language Arts - Four years
   2. Writing-Intensive Courses - Two years
          a. One of these has to be English. The other can be English or any other writing-intensive
              course.
          b. Writing-intensive courses can satisfy graduation requirements in other areas. For example,
              a writing-intensive science course could be used to satisfy the Language Arts graduation
              requirement or the Science graduation requirement.
   3. Mathematics - Two years
          a. One of which may be related to computer technology.
          b. If the HS offers an AP computer science course to HS students, this course partially satisfies
              the mathematics requirement.
   4. Science - One year
   5. Social Studies - Two years
          a. At least one of these years must be:
                  i. U.S. history
                      Or
                 ii. A combination of U.S. history and American Government
          b. At least one semester of these years must be:
                  i. Civics, focusing on government institutions, the discussion of current and
                      controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process
   6. Other-One Year, chosen from the following:
          a. Music
          b. Art
          c. Foreign Language (includes American Sign Language),
              Or,
          d. Vocational Education
   7. Physical Education per 105 ILCS 5/27-6
   8. Citizenship-Pass an examination on patriotism and principles of representative government,
       proper use of the flag, methods of voting and the Pledge of Allegiance
   9. Completion of the SAT Examination (unless the student is exempt under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.64)

Districts are allowed to increase the number of credits required for core and elective courses.

            Graduation Credits Required by Local and Larger Illinois School Districts
                    High School              Required Credits                 Daily Periods
        Peoria Public Schools                       26                               7
        Dunlap                                      21                       7 plus early bird
        Morton                                      20                               7
        Washington                                 22.5                      7 plus early bird
        Pekin                                       20                       6 plus early bird
        East Peoria                                 22                               7
        Limestone                                  23.5                              8
        Illini Bluffs                               20                               8
        Metamora                                    22                               8
        Tremont                                     27                           4 blocks
        Brimfield                                   21
        Bloomington                                 24                              7

Decatur                                    22                       6 plus early bird
        Rockford                                   24                               7
        Springfield                                26                               7
        Carbondale                                 19                       6 plus early bird
        Rock Island                                24                       7 plus early bird
        Moline                                    21.5                              7
        New Trier                                  19                       8 plus early bird
        Adlai Stevenson                           22.5                              8
        Lincoln Park                               24                               8

Recommendation 3 regarding Flexibility: Provide flexibility in providing educational and career
options for all students. Consider the following types of flexible options:

   •   Start time/flex scheduling/staggered start time
   •   What gets credit/how much credit
   •   Early graduation
   •   Career Pathways
   •   PE waivers
   •   AP Opportunity Labs
   •   Continuum or Menu of intervention options/choices of interventions
   •   Homeroom/Advisory/Freshman Seminar
   •   Tutoring
   •   School within a school by school
   •   Length of courses (1, ½, ¼ semester)
   •   Increased rigor
   •   Allocation of resources/staff
   •   Opportunities with connection to supports – transitional experiences
   •   Competency-based education

   In summary, the following recommended proposals are presented for approval:
   1. Recommendation 1 regarding Class Rank: Class rank would be eliminated beginning with
      the graduating class of 2020 and all subsequent classes. Valedictorian and salutatorian
      distinction would be replaced by the Latin system of academic recognition (Cum Laude. Magna
      Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude)
   2. Recommendation 2 regarding Graduation Credits: Change the number of credits from 26 to
      24, providing a range from 24 to 28 credits a student can earn, beginning with the class of 2020.
   3. Recommendation 3 regarding Flexibility: Provide flexibility in providing educational and
      career options for all students. The reduction of graduation credits will allow the flexibility for
      providing interventions, elective classes, and/or doing an internship or service learning.