Raising standards

[Kevin59]

In 1992, the state board of discussed raising performance standards and levels of expectations for all students. One of the obstacles to this goal was the existence of the below level courses in English language arts, mathematics, and science. These courses tended to isolate low-performing students and to minimize expectations of them. Accordingly, the board adopted the schedule for phasing out below level courses.

Correlated Language Arts I, Fundamentals of Mathematics, Consumer Mathematics, and Introductory Physical Science did not satisfy graduation requirements after the 1991-92 school year. After the 1992-93 school year, Correlated Language Arts II - IV and Applied Biology no longer satisfied graduation requirements. Business Mathematics, a business course, was added to the schedule to be deleted after the 1992-93 school year. Pre-Algebra was to be discontinued after the 1995-96 school year.

In 1992 the state board of also adopted a Policy Statement on High School Education developed by the Task Force on High School Education. The task force consisted of board members, representatives of the governor’s office and state agencies, educators, and business representatives. Their charge was to develop a policy statement and make recommendations regarding high school . At the same time they adopted the policy statement, the board endorsed recommended proficiencies for Texas high school graduates that grew from the work of the task force and other groups. The recommended proficiencies represented a standard core curriculum for all students in excess of the minimum graduation requirements.