Arts credits available for after-school work
By:John Patten
In addition to approving a host of new technology classes at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, the board also approved new drama and arts electives.
According to Superintendent of Schools Donald Burkhardt, some of the new classes will allow students to obtain credit for graduation without regular classroom attendance.
Dr. Burkhardt said the move is in line with new state guidelines that require more credits for graduation, but loosen rules for what kinds of activities qualify for credit.
"We’re offering credit for students if they put in 36 hours after school putting on the (drama) production," he said about the new Drama Production program.
Students in the drama program will receive only a pass/fail grade, and will be scored based on their attendance and participation. In case a student isn’t performing as well as the drama adviser may have anticipated, Dr. Burkhardt said, the student would not get a flunking grade.
"There’s sort of a different criteria the director may take them out of the lead but they’ll still get credit," Dr. Burkhardt said. "It will be like students getting credit for athletics."
In addition to the drama production credit, the board approved programs for Theater Arts, Speech Arts and a new elective in Contemporary Literature.
The new credit programs reflect changes in state rules announced Jan. 7 by Commissioner of Education William L. Librera.
"New regulations permitting greater flexibility in teaching and learning skills and knowledge required for high school graduation … represent a shift away from seat-time course requirements in favor of optional ways for students to demonstrate proficiency in required subject matter," a statement from the department notes.
"These new requirements reflect a 21st century view of how children learn and how educators teach," Mr. Librera said. "They take into account the need to provide students with multiple and diverse paths for success, and place an emphasis on proficiencies over courses. They also respond to Gov. (James) McGreevey’s call to stimulate learning by providing a way for students who demonstrate proficiency in required subjects to take more challenging courses."
The arts classes were added to the list introduced at last week’s work meeting, which included classes in Web page design, desktop publishing, Microsoft Powerpoint, Access and Excell programs, computer-aided design, and several advanced placement classes.
Board member Lou Petzinger Jr. asked if the growing list of elective classes offered at Manville High School will mean some classes will be offered with only a few students. Dr. Burkhardt said classes will only be offered if enough students register except for the advanced placement classes which may still be offered if only a few students enroll.
"I want to offer as many advanced placement classes as we can," he said.