Muskego Schools Could Increase Graduation Requirements for Class of 2016

Tammy Gibbons, Director of Student performance for the Muskego-Norway district outlined changes that may affect students starting with the 2012-2013 school year. Most notably, a graduation requirement of three credits each for math and science could take effect, pending legislation. This reflects an increase from the current requirement of two credits for both.

Gibbons explained that the proposal for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind requirements will be submitted on February 21, and will feature a balanced assessment system (Wisconsin is joining a consortium of 38 states to develop a common system), the enhanced graduation requirements and changes to college and career readiness testing.

sought by the state, calling it "an effort to move reform forward rather than to avoid it. If nothing else, it certainly is a way to move out of the current years-long impasse on this issue in Congress."

The move would "allow for some degree of greater flexibility on use of federal funds than current through this approach," he added.

The Obama administration announced in fall it would waive problematic and burdensome regulatory requirements of NCLB, which has not been re-authorized by Congress. The program was up for reauthorization five years ago, but Congress has yet to act. 

Other changes the district will see as a result is the elimination of the current form of WKCE testing by 2015. New assessments will focus on college and career readiness skills, and will be online. Students who are in grades 3-8 will still take the state assesment, but students in 10th grade will no longer take it, instead moving to 11th grade.