Town Meeting on Proposed Graduation Requirements Policy Revisions

HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 9, 2005) – The Washington County Board of Education is currently considering revisions to its policy on graduation requirements. In addition to minor updates to the policy, the revision proposes awarding high school credits for middle school courses that follow the specific curriculum of the equivalent high school course, including a Maryland State Department of Education High School Assessment or other high school level examination.

A Town Hall Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at 7:30 PM, at the Central Office auditorium on Commonwealth Avenue in Hagerstown, for members of the Board of Education to share information about the new High School Assessment requirements for graduation, and to receive input from the community on the proposed revisions to the graduation requirements policy. The ninth grade class of 2005-2006 will be the first class required to take and pass the High School Assessments for graduation. The proposed policy is available for review. To receive a copy, stakeholders may call the public information office at 301-766-2809 or download the proposed policy (Policy IKF - 2 page PDF - 42.08 KB) from the WCPS website.

Stakeholders may send comments directly to the Board of Education by U. S. mail to 820 Commonwealth Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740, or by emailing feedback@wcps.k12.md.us. In addition, the Board is making plans to post a brief survey on the WCPS website this spring to seek comment. School principals will be including information about the proposed revisions on the agendas of upcoming PTA and CAC meetings and providing updates in school newsletters, as needed.