The State Board of Education (SBOE), a group much like the San Saba ISD School Board of Trustees will convene in a 4 day meeting this week to discuss several major policy issues that will have lasting marks on the education of our schools. On the agenda, the SBOE will look at many things, but some of the most pressing that our district is watching include: 1. Career and Technology Education (CTE) TEKS Review, 2. Options for graduation credit for Athletics, and 3. Texas High School Graduation Plans.

Currently there are 600 CTE courses that are being reviewed by both the TEKS writing committee and the CTE Review Panel. It is anticipated there will be a recommendation that approximately 250 of these 600 CTE courses remain options for Texas students. In addition, it is anticipated that there will be five to six courses recommended as an option for the fourth credit of math and science under the recommended high school graduation plan. What does this mean for our district? This means that the courses that we recognize in our Ag, Building Trades, FCS, and Business Computer classes could change very dramatically. The CTE courses are moving toward a licensed based outcome for students. Meaning that when students finish a CTE course they have a licensure of some sort or a measured skill.

A petition has been submitted requesting that athletics for one to four credits be added to the list of allowable credits for gradation. If the SBOE proceeds with this request TEA will recommend that the board develop TEKS for these course. This means locally that students participating in 4 years of athletics will be allowed to count the 2.5 local athletic credits as state credits counting toward graduation. Students are only permitted to count 1.5 credits of the 4 available under the current rules.

Currently, Texas students have access to three graduation plans: Distinguished Achievement, Recommended, and Minimum. The SBOE will discuss at their next meeting a three pronged approach in which a student could focus on CTE, fine arts, or the current courses required under the 4 x 4 Distinguished Achievement/ Recommended Plan. This option is very favorable to our students. This move would allow students to opt for a plan that is more suitable for their career plans after high school.

The SBOE and the Texas Legislature who will begin their session soon, make decisions that drive school policy. Please carefully read about the educational decisions these groups are exploring because it does make lasting changes on the way our school system operates in San Saba.

Please remember that our website is the key to keeping up-to-date on school happenings. Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD.

Basketball is in full swing! Please try to make it to a 7/8 grade game at the White gym on Monday nights, or catch a game at Armadillo Arena on Tuesday or Friday nights. This week we are sponsoring a girl’s basketball tournament. Please make your way to Armadillo Arena on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night for some great basketball.

If you have any questions about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144.