Give them credit

MONTROSE – During the Nov. 25 meeting of the Montrose Community Schools Curriculum and Technology Committee, Kuehn-Haven Middle School Principal Edward Graham proposes to enable eighth grade middle school students to earn high school credits for Algebra I and Earth Science courses.

Graham proposes that the school hold these students to a high standard. The county has established a score of 78 percent or above to test out of a class. He proposed that eighth grade students achieving 78 percent or above on these classes earn high school credits.

Hill McCloy High School Principal Jim Ply supported the proposal citing the academic benefits of awarding high school credits to middle school students who take Algebra I & Earth Science earlier. He explained that these students would then open up their high school schedules enabling them to take additional advanced level classes and skill center courses. Ply talked about this proposal opening up opportunities for students to get a good start on careers in pre-med and engineering.

Superintendent Mark Kleinhans asked about the timeline for the program asking if it were approved in the next month, “Would you use it this year?”

Both Graham and Ply nodded and said, “Yes!”

Graham stated, “This process isn’t giving it away. They have to work hard for it. It’s okay to hold the Middle School to a higher standard,” he said, adding “A good portion of the eighth grade students in Algebra I are the cream of the crop. I think it’s reasonable to hold the eighth graders to a higher standard if they’re going to earn high school credits.”

Ply added, “If we do have a student that missed it, (scoring less than 78 percent) they can identify their problem area, study up and test out of it.”

As the proposal was presented to the curriculum and technology committee, no decision was made. The proposal is expected to be discussed by the Montrose Community Schools Board of Education at an upcoming meeting.

This process isn’t giving it away. They have to work hard for it. It’s okay to hold the Middle School to a higher standard. Edward Graham Kuehn-Haven Middle School Principal