Four public hearings are scheduled across the state on July 14 . This conflicts with Code language stating that diplomas shall be awarded to all secondary students who, in addition to the requirements mentioned, meet such other requirements as may be prescribed by the local school board and approved by the Board of Education . The proposed language implies that the Board will not approve any additional diploma requirements of a local school board. This appears to assume that the block configuration is the sole reason for not meeting the achievement expectations. Also, forcing a school to change scheduling because it has not met achievement expectations creates operational, fiscal and public relations impacts.
Accreditation moves from biennial to annual.
Given the degree of changes from the February 25 draft and the continued quick timeline for approving these regulations, local school divisions likely will be hard-pressed to clearly communicate with teachers, students and families what is required by this proposal. Until this can be done, the proposed SOA should not become effective. The Educate America Act. Funds to local school divisions would be distributed through a competitive grants process. More information will be forthcoming from the Department of Education.