An advisory committee that has been studying highly rigorous academic
program options as possible alternatives to the traditional high school
experience has resumed its work this fall and will report to the school
board in December.
The 17-member High School Academic Options Lead Team, made up of
community members, students, and educators, began meeting last May and
is scheduled to submit a progress report to the Puyallup School Board on
December 1.
Members have been discussing a wide variety of possible academic
options in categories such as science and math, vocational and civil
services, college preparatory programs, arts and creative technologies,
and social sciences. “It has to be something special to complement our
high school programs,” said Brian Lowney, chief academic officer of
Regional Learning Community #3 and a district representative on the
committee.
The committee’s work will be a district focus, rather than specific to any one particular school or region, Lowney said.
During its last meeting in June, the committee discussed the
importance of asking for community input on the various program options
before submitting its report to the school board. Once decided,
opportunities to provide input will be announced on the school district
website.
As part of its work, the committee has heard reports from district
leadership about relevant topics such as districtwide enrollment
projections, demographics, and the number of in-district and
out-of-district waivers.
The committee learned, for example, that some students apply for
out-of-district waivers to other schools or programs to participate in
academic options not offered in Puyallup, such as International
Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
A separate study group formed last year and made up of junior high
and high school educators will continue to meet this fall to explore the
possibility of initiating an IB program in Puyallup, Lowney said.
The High School Academic Options Lead Team has also researched the
number of district students enrolled part time and full time in Running
Start.
Running Start is a statewide community college program for
academically-qualified high school juniors and seniors. Eligible
students enroll in courses to fulfill high school graduation
requirements and earn college credit.