Page 139 - 1994

I

For the future will require 240 credits

The students of Ralston High School
from the class of 1997 and beyond were
required to obtain more graduation re­
quirements than previous years. Ralston
worked for three years with 24 other high
schools in an international futures consor­
tium on a plan to further educate and
prepare students for graduation.
Many students looked forward to the
240 credits that needed to be earned. “I
like the challenge,” 1997 classman Jim
Spenceri said. “At first I thought it was
unfair, but now 1 agree with it.”
Christine Jaworski, also from the class
of 1997, said,”I think it’s better because it
gets us more prepared for the future.”
These extra 40 credits are not as diffi­
cult to acquire as some think. By passing
the required six classes each semester of
high school, students automatically have
the needed credits. “In all honesty, 80%
or 90% of our students generally graduate
with 240 credits or more,” Dr. Martha a x classes every sem ester for four years will
Bruckner, RHS principal said. result in Freshman Ben Seever graduating
Even though the courses didn’t change, from Ralston High School. Here he concen­
students had to pass certain demonstra­ trates on passing his classes, photo by
tions in each class. “We think students AMANDA VANDEVENTER
should be able to demonstrate that they
can do something rather than just sit in
E d va n ce d Topics student Steve Craig
class,” Dr. Bruckner said. If they are
helps Freshman Tara Ditzen understand
unable to pass these, it shows that they
her Algebra assignment. Members of Craig’s
need to spend more time with this certain
area. class took over teaching Mr. Ahl’s classes
The main goals of these graduation re­ while he was absent.
quirements are to have efffective commu­
nication, have an understanding of eco­
nomics, humanities, mathematics, science,
social studies and technology, and to have All Graduates
interpersonal skills and social responsi­ Will Be
bilities.
“This is part of the changes we’ve been
making for four years in a row as to how • Self-directed Learners
we can make our school better,” Dr. • Collaborative Workers
Bruckner said.
WENDY HUNTINGTON • Complex, Critical Thinkers
•Community Contributors

Qhe class of 1997 •Quality Producers
w a s th e fir s t to
g ra d u a te under a
new plan. Brandi
Beckett is one of
the 238 freshm en
being ch a lle n g e d ,
p h o to by ANGIE
BROWN

2ty0 G'vediU