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quiring summer school for students who fail. Another recommendation is that middle school, for students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades be “restructured.” What this “restructuring” means is not spelled out, but four model middle schools and 25 “Vanguard” schools have been identified to lead the way.
Another recommendation has already been adopted by the State Board of Education. This is that all students be required to pass a “Literacy Passport,” a test of reading, writing and math, in order to enter ninth grade.
The booklet contains recommendations for more emphasis on international studies, including the recommendation that the study of a foreign language be available to elementary students as early as first grade
On teacher salary the recommendation is that after Virginia rises to the national average in teacher salaries, any further improvement be tied to locally developed “career ladders” that include farther training and extra work.
The most dramatic recommendations are for a further change in high school graduation requirements. Currently two diplomas are offered in Virginia. The “Advanced Studies” diploma requires 22 credits, including three units in laboratory science, three in math including algebra through algebra II and geometry, either three units in one foreign language or two units in two foreign languages.
The rest of the requirements are the same as those needed for the general diploma, which requires 20 credits. Starting with the class of 1992, another credit in fine or practical arts will be required for either diploma.
“Virginia’s Public Schools” recommends that the state continue to offer tw’o diplomas, the “Advanced Studies Diploma” and an “Applied Academics Diploma.” Both would require 24 credits.
The booklet also recommends that all school systems go to the seven-period day without shortening classroom periods so that students in either program n choose four electives in their lour years in high school When Rappahannock adopted the'seven-period day this year, class periods were shortened from 52 minutes to 46 minutes. Keeping the longer class periods would have extended the school day for elementary school students, who must ride the same school buses.
If these recommendations are adopted, students in both programs would be required to take a course in public speaking. A new social studies course labelled “International
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