State Higher Ed Board Seeks Public Comments on Proposed New Rules for Uniform GPA
December 19, 2008 (update)
In a letter dated December 18, Plano ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto commented and questioned the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's document, released on November 24, which contains proposed new rules relating to the Uniform GPA.
Through December 29, public comments will be accepted about this new proposal. Submit comments to Natalie Coffey, Senior Program Director, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711, or send e-mail to: Natalie.coffey@thecb.state.tx.us.
Previously Published Articles
September 23, 2008 (update)
State Higher Ed Board Seeks Parent, Student & Teacher Opinions on Uniform GPA Calculation Proposal
The Higher Education Coordinating Board subcommittee met on Wednesday, September 17, to receive public testimony regarding their Uniform GPA Calculation proposal. Representatives from school districts across the state of Texas, including Plano ISD, voiced concerns regarding Commissioner Paredes’s recommendations.
Testimony from the vast majority of school district personnel, including Plano ISD, centered on disagreement with two specific points of the proposal:
- The recommendation that dual credit, AP, and IB courses all receive the same weighting
- The recommendation to not provide any additional weighting for Pre-AP, Pre-IB, or Honors courses
Prior to the start of the testimony, the board provided a written update to its proposal which included revising the start date. Commissioner Paredes is now recommending that the implementation for the new Uniform GPA Calculation take effect beginning with next year’s 9th grade class.
After hearing testimony, the subcommittee decided to postpone consideration of the Uniform GPA Calculation until October 22, at which time they will make a formal recommendation to the entire Coordinating Board for adoption on October 23.
The subcommittee members are interested in receiving public comments to guide them in making an informed decision. After testifying on September 17, Plano ISD has been contacted by the Higher Ed Board to provide additional information.
Parents, students and teachers are encouraged to voice their opinions to the Coordinating Board by contacting:
Natalie Coffey, Senior Program Director Natalie.Coffey@THECB.state.tx.us
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711
Current information indicates that public comments will be accepted up until October 5.
September 11, 2008
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto has authorized members of his administrative team to present a list of concerns regarding changes to the “Uniform GPA (Grade Point Average) Guidelines” that have been proposed by an ad-hoc committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
Plano ISD Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Susan Modisette and Director of Counseling and Guidance Paul Weaver wrote to the ad-hoc committee this week, stating the following concerns with provisions set forth in the Texas Register affecting Texas Education Code §51.807:
(2)(5) A four-point scale used in computing the uniform grade point average with the exception of AP, IB, and Dual Credit Courses.
Current structure provides students the opportunity to earn higher grade points for completion of more challenging courses, such as Pre-AP, Honors, and International Honors. The removal of this provision will likely result in students choosing to not participate in the most appropriately challenging learning environment. These honors courses are the necessary bridges that connect our students with the opportunities found in AP, IB, and Dual Credit.
(5) Equal weighting of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and academic Dual Credit courses.
Both AP and IB courses have national and international standards respectively, and AP courses follow a national curriculum. Additionally all students in these programs must pass national exams to receive credit. Conversely, the rigor of course content in Dual Credit courses may vary greatly as there are no national standards, curriculum, or required exams. This provision may encourage students to not enroll and take advantage of our AP and IB programs.
(Introduction) Application of these provisions beginning with first-time freshman for admission in the 2009 fall semester.
Students have made course selections based on the standards set forth by their local school districts; academic planning for students often begins in the spring semester of their eighth grade year. Setting a new, uniform standard at the end of a student’s high school career disadvantages the student who thoughtfully selected courses based on information that would now be invalidated.
Contact
Parents can send their comments to:
Natalie Coffey, Senior Program Director
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711
natalie.coffey@thecb.state.tx.us
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