WHS Commencement Reminder

The graduating seniors will be honored on Friday, June 2, 2006 at WHS at 7:00 PM.

Thanks to all the parents, grandparents and educators that played a part in their lives. Earning a high school diploma for some students is more difficult than it has been in my lifetime.

And still...a high school diploma is just a first step towards achieving independence.

The following changes have taken place, many of them in just the last 10 years or so:

1. High school graduation exit exam: This exam was first required in 2003. It was made more difficult in 2005 by increasing the academic standards. It also added more Algebra questions to it, almost turning Algebra I into a "gatekeeper" course to graduation. The test is given to 10th graders in the fall, although students get numerous chances to try again.

2. Eliminating lower level classes: In the last decade Indiana high schools have eliminated almost all lower level Math and English classes except for some for students with special learning needs.

3. Core 40 has become the default curriculum in the high school: It used to be that parents chose the college preparatory curriculum for their 8th graders entering high school. Now the Core 40 college prep courses are the default high school program and parents have to "opt out" of it if they don't want their children taking those classes.

4. Students with special needs must pass the same classes and take the same tests to receive the same diploma: They are allowed more accommodations although the academic standards tested must remain the same. Nevertheless, some students with special learning needs used to receive a diploma and now some of those students may receive a certificate of completion or attendance for going to four years of high school.

Statistics as of Wednesday, May 31, 2006:

The 2002 class of 8th graders had 275 students enrolled at the end of the year. The incoming freshman class showed a beginning enrollment of 282 students. The senior class of 2006 will graduate 208 students. Amazingly enough, according to guidance department numbers 194 students in this class were here all four years of high school.

There were 10 certificates of attendance and 2 certificates of completion given.

Commencement will be Friday, June 2, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium.