Tag: graduation

SALT offers flexibility and individuality, a bedrock for success

Soldotna Alternative (SALT) is new program at Soldotna High School designed to serve primarily juniors and sophomores who are at risk of dropping out or not graduating from high school on time. SALT enables students to earn credits at an accelerated rate through an individualized learning experience, smaller class size and an altered school schedule. Ultimately, SALT offers students the flexibility, small class size, and individuality needed for them to succeed.

SALT
Hands on biology at Skulls and Bones taxidermy class

A day in the life of a Soldotna Alternative student looks a little different from other students at Soldotna High School. Each day includes time to journal, eat a hot breakfast, extended time to focus on only two subjects at a time, and get some physical exercise. To help meet their physical and emotional needs, a hot breakfast is cooked every morning and consumed as a group. Each learning “rotation” lasts approximately six weeks so students are able to make up missed credit at an accelerated rate while having the ability to focus their attention on only a couple of classes at a time.
This is what students have to say about the program:

  • “We have more time to do work.”
  • “It’s small, calm and I can clearly think.”
  • “It has helped me calm down about school work and has helped me catch up.”
  • “I’m getting my credits back that I’m missing.”

The goal of Soldotna Alternative is for every student to graduate high school with a diploma and be able to pursue their own dreams. This is based on the belief that all students are important and capable of learning and succeeding.
Questions? Please email or call Soldotna Alternative School, housed in Soldotna High School, 907-260-7000.

To attain a high school diploma: take a College or Career Ready assessment

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Print
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

NEWS RELEASE
College and Career Ready Assessments replace HSGQE

Soldotna, September 17, 2014—Students no longer need to take and pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE) to earn a high school diploma. In May, 2014, the Alaska State Legislature repealed the HSGQE requirement with the enactment of HB 278.
Students must now take a College or Career Ready Assessment in order to attain a high school diploma. The state determined the career ready assessment will be the WorkKeys job skills assessment system, and the college ready assessment portion will be a choice of either the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Action by October 15, 2014
The State of Alaska will pay for an eleventh grade student to take one of the three assessments. School counselors or principals will work with KPBSD juniors to support their test choice, and assist them through the registration process prior to October 15, 2015.
ACT and WorkKeys assessment during the school day
KPBSD district high schools will continue to administer WorkKeys, as they have for the past several years. KPBSD high schools will now also administer the ACT during the school day. School day administration of the WorkKeys and ACT at school sites will occur on these dates:
• WorkKeys assessments will be administered at schools during a testing window from November 10, 2014, to February 13, 2015
• ACT testing will occur at schools on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, with a make-up date of Tuesday, March 31, 2015
SAT assessment testing
Students can choose to take the SAT at a SAT approved national test center, and it will be paid with a state voucher. The SAT voucher administration will be on Saturday, January 24, 2015. These approved national testing centers will administer SAT and ACT:
• Kenai Peninsula College (both SAT and ACT)
• Seward High School (both SAT and ACT)
• Homer High School (both SAT and ACT)
• Ninilchik High School (SAT only)
• Susan B. English School in Seldovia (SAT only)
Students may continue to take both the SAT and ACT, and take them as many times as they choose at a national test center site. However, the State of Alaska will only pay for one test administration of either the WorkKeys, SAT, or ACT.
Questions?
Parents and students can contact their school counseling department or school principal.
Link
HB 278
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Making News: Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula

The US Department of Education awards Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula a 128,000 grant! I posted a news release–along with others–on the KPBSD Media and Public Relationships Communications page. I’m excited about this grant–Project GRAD empowers and inspires  low income students students to obtain a high school diploma, and achieve success in post-secondary education. 

The $128,000 Gear Up Grant (GU) length is for six years, and requires a cohort model which begins at grade 2 and continues through grade 8. KPBSD schools in Nanwalek, Port Graham, Razdolna, Tebughna, and Voznesenka will follow this cohort through the six years.

Dream, dare, do! Thank you to KPBSD, the US Department of Education, and Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula.
www.KPBSD.org 
KPBSD Communications
KPBSD Media and Public Relationships