School Consoldiation Plan Update
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Governor Huckabee says a high school with as
few as 375 students could effectively meet new academic standards
and avoid consolidation.
That lowers the minimum high school enrollment number of 425 he
proposed in his revised education reform plan unveiled last month.
But he now says schools could have 50 fewer students and still
offer the new Smart Core curriculum efficiently based on research
by consultants who recommended education improvements to a special
legislative committee.
Currently, 221 high schools in Arkansas have fewer than 375
students.
Curriculum changes endorsed by the state Board of Education
would require school districts to teach 38 core courses every year
instead of every other year. They also would raise from 21 to 22
the number of units required for graduation and enhance performance
testing.
Posted by Mike Hellgren
