HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- State Board of Education Chairman Joseph Torsella today issued the following statement regarding the Independent Regulatory Review Commission's approval of stronger high school graduation requirements:
"This regulation means that starting with the Class of 2015, all Pennsylvanians will have confidence that a young man or woman with a Pennsylvania high school diploma is ready for college and the workforce.
"I am glad that the IRRC approved our common sense, common ground approach. This regulation establishes multiple pathways for students to earn their diplomas, and rejects a one-size-fits-all or high-stakes testing approach. But through this regulation, we are clearly saying that we will have the same set of expectations for every Pennsylvania student in every corner of the state.
"It is gratifying that the regulatory process worked exactly as intended: the State Board of Education produced a preliminary proposal, engaged in an unprecedented level of public dialogue to listen to questions and alternative ideas, worked closely with stakeholders and the General Assembly to improve the regulation and build support and, in the end, put forward a regulation that reflects a variety of views and will better serve our students. I want to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, Sen. Andrew Dinniman, and Rep. James Roebuck in helping us reach this point.
"The State Board of Education thanks all those who contributed their time and energy to this important policy discussion, both in favor and against the proposed regulation. Following review by the attorney general for form and legality, we look forward to the final publication and transparent implementation of this regulation."
Media contact: Adam Schott, Board of Education; 717-787-3787
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
