When the North Judson-San Pierre School Board met in a work session on Wednesday, members reviewed the corporation’s technology, wellness, accountability and strategic plans. Those plans will all be up for approval at the May board meeting.
When discussing recent changes to graduation requirements, the members and Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin decided it was best to hold off on hosting an informational meeting over Graduation Pathways due to unanswered questions.
Dr. Zupin explained that she was hoping to provide students, parents and community members with information regarding the Graduation Pathways but there isn’t enough clarification on the subject to provide a presentation at this time.
Zupin said the Indiana State Board of Education created the Graduation Pathways to help create an educated and talented workforce and while the concept and theory are sound, there are many question and matters to work through before schools can begin implementation.
Some areas that still remain unclear include how exactly schools will implement the programs, courses and opportunities to meet the requirements, whether the school or state is responsible for the costs of tests and programs and what schools are supposed to do when a student transfers from other schools or states since schools can create different programs and requirements in their pathways.
The superintendent said that while they are frustrated with the uncertainty and unanswered questions, officials feel good about what NJSP offers and provides for students. Dr. Zupin said the SCILL Center will continue to serve as a very important resource to assist students with employability and workforce skills.
She added that when the dust settles and questions are answered, the school corporation will do everything in their power to help students graduate through these pathway options.
