Opinion: Article “State Plan to revamp high school curricula met with tough questions

Today I happened upon an article concerning the New Jersey Public Schools. There was a two hour meeting to unveil a plan that would change the current requirements for graduation. The Corzine administration has embraced a plan endorsed by thirty three states to raise the standards in mathematics, science and proficiency testing. This will effect the current minimum graduation requirements which will increase by 10 credits. It will also require students to take on-line courses for classes in foreign languages and economics.

The plan is still on table for discussion and according to state administrators it could take a full year before it is implemented. However, there is fervent objection by many educators and others whom are opposed to further testing and mandates limiting options.


Some believe that this is just window dressing for a college preparatory curriculum. It appears that they want more options for students who do not plan to attend college upon graduation. Maybe the revisions will take this into consideration.

A few recent high school graduates whom are attending Cumberland College were in attendance for this two hour meeting. All of them said that they found themselves in remedial classes for subjects in which they thought they had learned. One student from Elmer who took a math test stated that she didn’t have sufficient knowledge to take it.

This is one example of many issues that is affecting graduates state wide. While I do agree that there should be more options, it is unexceptable to compromise a students education.


In my view, while the plan may not offer enough options, it does address some serious academic issues that warrant action. I think it is impossible to introduce a plan that would be amiable to all.
It is my hope that the glitches will be worked out in this plan so that graduates attending college will not have to take remedial courses.