ML board approves policy to change credit requirements

At its March 17 meeting, the Medical Lake school board of directors went through a lengthy agenda that included approving a first reading of a policy that would change the number of credits required to graduate high school.

Under policy 2140 - "Graduation Requirements," students who enter ninth grade after July 1, 2015 and are scheduled to graduate in 2019, will be required to complete 24 credits - a recommendation from the Washington state Board of Education. The change in graduation requirement credits includes two less elective credits from 5.5 to 3.5, and the addition of one science, one art and two world language credits. Students will still have to take four English, three math and social studies, two health and fitness and one career and technology education credit.

"In essence this is a pathway for students to leave high school with some of their requirements for four-year universities already finished," Kim Headrick, director of teaching and learning, said.

Headrick added that students who plan to attend technical school instead of a four-year university could take CTE credits that are more in line with their career path instead of the world language credits.

Medical Lake High School students are currently required to complete 22 credits before they graduate, two more than most high schools in the state.

Students are still required to develop a "High School and Beyond" plan, complete a culminating project and meet the required writing, reading and math standards.

The board passed the first reading on a policy about suicide prevention. Under the policy, staff members who have knowledge of a suicide threat must take the proper steps to support the student and report this information to the building principal or designee who will, in turn, notify the appropriate school officials, the student's family and appropriate resource services.

At the beginning of each school year, the district will provide all staff with a plan for recognizing, screening, referring and responding to students in emotional or behavioral distress.

"All of the counselors in the district already receive this type of training at the beginning of every school year," Headrick said.

The board also passed second readings of policies regarding co-curricular activities, interscholastic activities and student records.

The board also approved the Drug Free Workplace Notice of Compliance and the 2015-16 school calendar. School will start Sept. 7, 2015 and end on June 14, 2016.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].