Washington, DC - The SBOE High School Graduation Requirements Task Force will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 6 pm in Room 1114 at 441 4th Street NW. During this meeting, task force members will come to consensus on proposed technical changes to the high school graduation requirements for the District. The primary recommendations will be introduced to the State Board of Education later next month.
“We want to thank all of the members who have remained engaged and active,” said Laura Wilson Phelan, Ward 1 Representative and task force co-chair. “Their input has been invaluable, and their dedication and hard work has helped shape this process and our recommendations in service of DC students.”
In June 2017, the SBOE, led by Ward 1 Representative Laura Wilson Phelan and Ward 8 Representative Markus Batchelor, launched a public application for membership on its High School Graduation Requirements Task Force, in search of community members that would examine whether the District’s high school graduation requirements adequately prepare students for college, careers, and civic engagement. The members of the task force mirror our student population, with half of the task force members living or working East of the Anacostia River. Over the course of ten months, the task force members conducted focus groups, analyzed research, listened to experts, and offered their expertise to inform recommendations to update the District’s high school graduation requirements.
“Our city has been lucky to have such a diverse and representative group of educators, experts and advocates at the table as we grapple with the District’s requirements,” said task force co-chair and Ward 8 Representative Markus Batchelor. “With the perspective of students, teachers, parents, District leaders, university officials and workforce development experts, we were able to discuss how our current requirements could be improved and are shaping bold recommendations that will better prepare our students for college and career.”
All task force meetings are open to the public. However, individuals and representatives of organizations are not permitted to speak or participate during task force sessions. District residents may stay involved and provide input throughout this process in a variety of ways. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony or information for consideration by the task force by emailing [email protected] or by filling out this online form. Members of the public can also request to join our discussion group here to share input regarding the work of the task force.
For the latest updates on the work of the task force, please visit sboe.dc.gov/gradreqs.