* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Mitchell
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - High School Assessments
FOR the purpose of requesting the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System to brief the Baltimore City Council regarding how the system is preparing students to pass the High School Assessments that will be a requirement for graduation beginning in 2009.
Body
Recitals
The High School Assessments, or HSAs, are four exams-one each in algebra/data analysis, biology, government, and English-that all students, starting with students who entered grade 9 in 2005, must take and pass in order to graduate. The HSA exams are based on the Maryland High School Core Learning Goals, which were incorporated into Maryland's public school curricula in the 1990s. Students take each HSA exam as they complete the related course. Passing the HSAs is only one of Maryland's high school graduation requirements. Students must also earn state-specified credits, fulfill the state's service-learning and attendance requirements, and complete any additional requirements of the local school system.
The Maryland State Department of Education has provided parents with a list of things they can do to encourage achievement from their children. The list includes encouraging children to take challenging courses, making school a priority, set the example by achieving yourself, encouraging children to study at home, and becoming more involved in the daily life of a child.
The goal of education should not only be to teach our kids, but to also help create a society the values academic achievement. Teenagers sometimes ridicule kids who make an effort in school. Children also pick up negative messages about achievement from television, movies, music, and even casual adult conversation. The values we instill will help our children stand up to outside pressure. Support can also be enlisted from other people such as teachers, or any other person that a child may admire or come to admire. All of us can encourage student achievement. Employers can pay more attention to courses taken when hiring young workers. Educators can help people understand why certain courses are important and why high standards are necessary. Community groups can set up programs to recognize high-achieving young people. The whole nation benefits when students learn more and become more productive citizens.
The preparation that students get studying for the High School Assessments will not only help them pass the exams, but will also help them prepare for the rest of their lives. The Baltimore City School System needs to start preparing students for the 2009 High School Assessments now, so that when test time comes, our students are prepared not only for the exams, but also for what opportunities they will find when they graduate from high school. Hopefully, by having parents, teachers, and students all work together, our students will not only pass the High School Assessments with ease, but will go on to become the leaders that will carry our City and State further into the 21st century.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System to brief the Baltimore City Council regarding how the system is preparing students to pass the High School Assessments that will be a requirement for graduation beginning in 2009.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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