Washington schools say Kirkwood can’t replace required classes

WASHINGTON — School administrators in Washington are moving to clarify the district’s high school graduation requirements, saying students can’t substitute courses at the Kirkwood Community College Regional Center for required core classes like Geometry, Chemistry, U.S. History and English 12 Writing.

High School Principal Ed Rathjen said the district needed to make sure its resources were put to use.

“We’ve spent a lot of time, money and effort to ensure that all of that’s in place,” he said. “And so, we feel that because we’re spending that time, money and effort, that kids should stay here and take those classes here. And just from a financial standpoint ... we’ve spent the money and the overhead to have a building and classrooms and desks and teachers and all that, and then you’re going to spend money to send students over to Kirkwood as well. That becomes a bit of an issue.”

The principal said the rule was already followed at the high school, but wasn’t reflected in district’s official policy. According to the current high school student handbook, students must complete a list of specific courses across subjects like science, math, social studies and physical education, plus 25 elective credits from any course at the high school or regional center. The district policy, however, only requires that students achieve a certain number of credit hours in each subject matter, (eight English credits, six math credits, etc.) without specifying courses (English 10, Algebra II, etc.)

While no student has yet attempted to graduate with Kirkwood credits instead of a core class, Rathjen said that would remain a technical possibility unless school board members voted in favor of the change.

Rathjen said the new policy was meant to align the district’s rules with current practice. It’s not expected to impact any student’s graduation dates or required course loads. It also won’t change completion requirements for Washington’s Home School Assistance Program — which does use a credits-per-subject system similar to the current district graduation policy — according to Curriculum Director Teresa Beenblossom.

“I hesitate to say it’s a change, because it really isn’t a change here, it’s just a change at the district level,” Rathjen said. “The district level just (needs) to be aligned with what we’re doing here at the high school … the district says one thing, the high school says another, that doesn’t make any sense.”

Washington schools don’t expect the change to affect their relationship with Kirkwood as an institution, either. Students can still take elective courses at the community college to accumulate simultaneous high school and college credits. They can still work through Kirkwood for an associate degree, and to explore career options in general.

Kirkwood Regional Center Director Tera Pickens said she didn’t object to the formal policy revision, but cautioned that it could make certain classes redundant for some students.

“Completing core requirements within high school ensures that students receive a consistent curriculum aligned with (state and school district) standards,” she said in an email. “In the case of college composition and communication, students may find themselves already completing college-level rhetoric, but then also be required to take a high school course that covers similar learning objectives … which they have already demonstrated college-level proficiency in.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com