Vol, 7, No. 9: March 3, 2008		Get SEAchange by email

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2. New science equivalency options for students

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced the creation of a process which will allow some agriculture courses to be certified so that they will count toward high school graduation credit in science. The Department of Public Instruction is also working to implement similar equivalency options for other subjects.

The agency has been working with University of Wisconsin institutions and other campuses in the state to ensure that this certification will be widely accepted for the purposes of admission to colleges and technical institutions.

"Knowledge of science concepts and skills has become vital for success in many of Wisconsin's fastest-growing careers," said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. "It is time we recognize the rigorous science instruction our students are already receiving in other subjects, so they may leverage that learning for a wider range of future career options."

The new Agriculture-Science Equivalent Credit Option leads Wisconsin school districts through a standardized method, or "crosswalk," for evaluating the rigor of the science content in agricultural education classes. Once local educators complete the crosswalk, the district may apply for official agriculture-science credit equivalency from the DPI. Classes offered during the 2008-09 school year are the first to be eligible for the equivalency option. (The crosswalk and equivalency application documents are available from the Agriculture-Natural Resources menu page.)

The department is working to create similar science equivalency processes in the area of technology education. Additionally, a specific examination is being made of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering curriculum used in many Wisconsin high schools. The agency expects to complete both efforts this spring.

"All these equivalency efforts are part of our ongoing work to increase and promote rigor in K-12 coursework, to provide learning options for students, and to ensure preparation for transitions between K-12 and postsecondary education and careers," said Burmaster.

The DPI will continue efforts to broaden its equivalency options in science, and will follow a similar process to assess courses for mathematics equivalency.

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Last updated on 3/3/2008