Commonwealth Diploma extended to Class of 2013

At their October meeting the KY Board of Education extended the Commonwealth Diploma program by one year so that students in the Class of 2013 may participate.  This decision would allow current juniors to plan for and earn the Commonwealth Diploma.  See the board notes below:

COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMA PROGRAM EXTENDED AN ADDITIONAL YEAR
Due to input from legislators, school district personnel and parents, Kentucky Department of Education staff recommended to the board that the Commonwealth Diploma program be continued an additional year, with no funding, before its discontinuation. It was conveyed that this would allow those already in the pipeline to earn the diploma to complete the program. This would extend the life of the program through the 2012-13 school year and give more time for other options to be developed to take the place of the Commonwealth Diploma. The board unanimously approved this proposal.

For more information on the extension of the Commonwealth Diploma program, contact Robin Chandler at (502) 564-9850 or via e-mail at robin.chandler@education.ky.gov.

To learn more about the Commonwealth Diploma go to http://www.education.ky.gov/kde/instructional%20resources/high%20school/additional%20information/commonwealth%20diploma.htm

This is good news in the short term as the elimination of this program removed a valuable method to reward and inspire students to achieve at a higher level.  Our next task as a school will be to gather input and to develop another type of honorary diploma or award for which we want our students to aspire.  This preliminary work will be completed by the Ryle Curriculum Committee.  Assistant Principal Nate Niemi is chairing this committee and any input or ideas would be welcome.