Dublin High School Aiming For #1
Starting with the class of 2012 and 2013, Dublin High School has the most rigorous standards of all Tri-Valley high schools. These standards parallel the University of California and California State University “A-G” requirements. Here are a few of the new graduation requirements as noted on the Dublin Unified School District website:
- Increase the mathematics course requirement to three years including the completion of Algebra II.
- Increase the science course requirement to three years with two years of lab sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
- Two years of a language other than English (effective with the class of 2013). One year can be completed in middle school.
Dublin High School will be able to help students meet these higher expectations by shifting 30 credits from elective courses to academic courses. The recent passage of Measure L will assist the Dublin Unified School District in funding the incremental costs associated with requiring additional academic coursework.
As Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke notes on the Dublin Unified School District website, “Parents can partner with the school district in helping all students meet these new challenges by: ensuring that their children attend school everyday; checking to see that homework is completed; noting any problems early and asking for assistance at school; supporting Dublin PRIDE Integrity in Action (character education program); and getting involved in their children’s school.”
Dublin has joined other cities such as San Francisco and San Jose in a bold effort to prepare our students to become the leaders of tomorrow.
12:58 PM on December 18th, 2008
A move in the right direction but a bit too slow. Why the delay? Couldn’t we implement parts of it now and have it phased in through the years until fully implemented? If only to be fair to the current student body not to implement 100% today which I would prefer.
4:21 PM on December 18th, 2008
It is being implemented now.. The class of 2012 the class that graduates four years from now, so that would be the current Freshmen class– They can’t implement the requirements on this year’s senior class (or Juniors, or Sophmores) since these changes are based on a 4-year program–
(at least, that’s what I read from it)—
4:53 PM on December 18th, 2008
Thanks for the clarification, hopefully this is the case.
6:56 PM on December 18th, 2008
Thanks John Z. for sharing this information.
I think it is important to share both the history of our new grad requirements and the plans for the future. They were voted on 2.5 years ago and are expected to go into effect in 2.5 years.
It is not just about what our graduates will be able to know and do upon graduation, but in order for it to happen it means everything from K to 12 has to be essential to preparing them. There is no room for waste.
Since we adopted them (and its not just the Tri-Valley districts where we have higher standards but the whole state except for San Jose and SF)every decision by staff has been to improve the rigor needed. All new programs since then have been based on filling gaps in curriculum. Technology has improved and will continue to do so. Same is true for new assessment systems.
Recently the board has asked for a report card on where we are with our strategic and action plans, whose intent is to meet the new standards. We also asked for a transition plan to assure those students who were not able to start with these changes in elementary school are assured they don’t fall through the cracks.
Finally the board will be looking next year at creating 2 diplomas, one more advanced but both with the same coverage of key subjects and amount of work. The next time someone says they think Dublin High is inferior to other schools, tell them where we are going.
Lots to do, but lots done already.
John B. Ledahl
LedahlJohn@dublin.k12.ca.us
11:18 PM on December 18th, 2008
Thank you Mr. Ledhal for sharing your perspective. You’ve won me over with your consistently constructive comments on this invaluable public forum. I remember one of your campaign promises was to improve communication between the Board and the public, and it is clear to me that you are indeed a man of your word. I wish some of our short-sighted, petty, and thin-skinned elected officials would learn from your example. As worried as I am about how the budget deficit will impact our school district, I am confident you will do everything within your power to make the best decisions for our children. Thank you for stepping up to serve.
1:12 AM on December 19th, 2008
I love it…. Kudos to our DUSD Board. Job well done…. I did not vote for Measure L and wasted my vote. I feel much better that a lot of Dubliners did not see the way I saw it. I stand corrected. All this great steps to improve our schools will reflect back to our home equities. Schools and home prices are synonymous. But most of all our kids get first rate education.
2:40 PM on December 19th, 2008
Off topic. I just got back from the Dublin Post office. Last year Christmas Holiday was a nightmare getting in and out of the Post Office. Thanks to our city staff, Mayor Lockhart and the city council and residents that complained, getting a parking at the post office was a breeze. Except that the line to the counter was all the way to the entrance double door. I don’t think 3 customer reps at the counter is enough for the holiday rush. But just want to drop a good word to all involve in the improvement process. Awesome…
5:26 PM on December 19th, 2008
Thanks John L. for keeping us informed. Great news about the direction our schools are headed in. I agree that we are going in the right direction, but we still have a ways to go to become the premier school district in the Bay Area and State. Our kids are capable and deserves a chance to proof themselves. We want to groom them to be leaders and not followers when they move into their adult life. Can’t wait for the days when we have top schools to boast about like the Palo Altos, Cupertinos and Fremonts of the world.
11:19 PM on December 20th, 2008
Hey John L, would you comment on the delay of Kolb? I can understand the need to delay for financial reasons but why would you overcrowd the classes instead of a simply boundary adjustment?
Don’t some classes in the west schools have 16 or 17 students while some in the east ave 21 or 22? Would you allow this if it were reversed and schools on the west were asked to cary over 20 studnets?
12:41 AM on December 22nd, 2008
Why does John L not respond? Does he intend to use this blog only to propogate his own agenda and to ignore important questions which he does not have a good answer for? The people of Dublin should be very wary of such a person.
11:17 AM on January 4th, 2009
John L, the question above is a reasonable one. Why have you not answered it?
6:17 PM on January 4th, 2009
Some of you may be wondering why I don’t respond to my favorite critic (whoever it might be). Well, the current Kolb options have been well outlined by this blog. The Kolb-related board meetings have been identified for January. Staff is working on refining the options and until they present them I don’t feel it wise to speculate, especially because no one board member should speak on behalf of the board. This situation has serious educational, legal, and financial aspects. BTW, a boundary committee will soon be assembled to deal with all boundaries in the district, not just this one.
The other aspect here is the continuing depiction of East vs. West. I don’t buy into it and neither should you. Certainly staff doesn’t buy into it either. None of the current board members represent one side of town, none of them. Decisions are made based on fact and research, not geographical preference. Its time to put this myth to bed and work together.