School panel considers extra credits at Port High

Port Washington High School students may soon need to earn more credits in order to graduate.

The School Board’s Policy Committee on Monday reviewed a proposal that would increase the number of credits needed for graduation from 24 to 26 — a plan proposed by an ad hoc committee of teachers and administrators looking at the high school’s new block schedule and how it impacts credits.

The plan as proposed would take effect with the Class of 2030, affecting the incoming freshman class, but the committee suggested that might be too soon.

While officials noted that more than 70% of students currently take 26 credits during their high school days, committee members expressed concern about what the increased number would mean for those who don’t earn that number.

“I’m worried about the 30%. I’m worried for kids who don’t really want to be here in the first place. Not everyone loves school,” School Board President Sara McCutcheon said. “Those students who are going to excel and want additional credits and are doing all the AP classes, they’re going to be fine and appreciate the additional opportunities.

“I’m not sure every single one of our students will.”

She suggested increasing the number of credits to 25 and gauging the impact on students and graduation, and delaying the implementation for a year to give students more time to prepare for the change.

“I think 25 is good to get an idea,” School Board and committee member Yvonne Klotz agreed. “And we can see how it goes.”

The committee asked for additional information on those students who don’t currently meet the 26 credits and why, how they might benefit from the new requirement and a clear rationale for the 26 credits.

“I think understanding the impact is going to be crucial to the decision,” committee chairman and board member Stephanie Trigsted said.

She said she worries that students who struggle now might struggle more if the credit requirement increases, but High School Principal Rachel Biertzer said changes in the block scheduling used at the school would provide time for additional support.

“The goal is not to see an uptick in students who need credit recovery,” she said. “Hopefully we’re getting what we need, the learning, the growth, the achievement in the 180 days we have through the school year.”

Board and Policy Committee member Elisa Pionek said requiring more credits may mean offering more classes, and she asked how that would impact the budget.

“That’s a lot more classes taught,” she said. “Do we have to worry about crowded classrooms?

Because many students already earn 26 credits, Biertzer said, there shouldn’t be a big impact.

And if students opt to participate in additional co-op or apprenticeship programs, that would also negate any impact, she said.

“I think we have to monitor that,” Biertzer said. “But I would project no (impact).”

Biertzer told the committee that while she originally supported increasing the number of credits needed for graduation to 25, teachers on the ad hoc committee studying the issue suggested 26, citing the potential to offer students more opportunities and experiences.

“It’s not just a number,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to continue to take those classes and grow.”

Students won’t have to take additional required classes, Biertzer said. The additional credits will come from electives.

That, she said, opens opportunities for students to take classes that might pique their interest in a topic, explore careers or allow them to participate in co-op or apprenticeship  programs.

Port would not be the only area school to require more than 24 credits for graduation, Biertzer added. She said that while “our closest neighbors” still require 24 credits to graduate, many others require more credits — Plymouth requires 26, Sheboygan Falls 27, Hartford 28-1/2, Slinger 25-1/2 and Kewaskum 25.

Supt. Michael McMahon noted that the change would come as the district moves from a two-day block schedule, in which students take four classes two days a week and eight the other days, to one in which they have four classes on four days and one day of eight classes.

“It allows for a larger chunk of time (for each class),” he said.

In addition, McMahon noted, the district is adding 17 minutes to the school day next year, and a portion of that extra time will be used to create a period when students can meet with teachers of classes they are struggling with.

McMahon said he expects the Policy Committee will take up the issue again when it meets in September, adding that additional input from the ad hoc committee and teachers will be solicited.

“I do want to make sure their voices are heard,” he said.