The first question that is often asked is, "Why is this change needed?" The attached video "Did You Know" provided a committee of parents and teachers an incentive to find a means of making sure Norwalk students have the skills necessary to be successful in the global competition for jobs that will confront them.
For years college professors and employers have told schools that students are not prepared to succeed in college or the work place. These comments and the video led a group of Norwalk parents and high school teachers to research the skills colleges and employers want students to have upon graduating from high school. The results of this research are new graduation requirements. The requirements involve the creation of an electronic portfolio where the students must demonstrate they have the skills expected by college professors and employers. The criteria for the portfolio can be found on the district website http://www.norwalk.k12.ia.us/. click in "academics" and then "new graduation requirements".
Freshmen are already working on meeting some of the graduation criteria with the support of their ninth grade TAs. Parents of students in grade nine are encouraged to discuss their student's progress on the portfolio criteria during parent/teacher conferences.
In future pages I will discuss the various portfolio criteria. Please take the time to look at the portfolio requirements and send your questions and comments.
