Diploma Diplomatic

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#23, 9731-174 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5T 6G4

November XVIIth, MMXIV

Hon. Gordon Dirks, B. Ed., M. Ed., MLA-Elect
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Calgary-Elbow

Dear Gordon:

When your sworn in as an MLA in about 88 minutes, keep in mind several factors about the diploma exam reevaluation by school boards

A. As the human with the most high school credits at CCCXXXVII (337) in the province & II (2) high school diplomas, I am more aware than anyone else alive of the pratfalls of messing with this 50/50 split formula.

B. The Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) is going to ask you to make it a 70/30 split whereby the diploma exams are only worth 30% of the overall grade. Having taken more diploma exams from Her Majesty's Alberta Department of Education than any1 else, I would think that a more reasonable starting point might be 60% course work & 40% diploma exam.

C. While I agree that students learn more from their courses & the work in their overall content, diploma exams are very important b/c students have II learn that they will face future "time-pressure" situations throughout their lives. So these high school diploma exams give them great practice.

D. Also, school boards including my division where I reside of Edmonton Public risk dumbing down diploma exams at their own peril. If the diploma exams are weighted too low, than it can become a scam to graduate more students based on course work alone whom might benefit from repeating a course or courses bIV they move onto other endeavours (eg: a job, or post-secondary studies.)

All Sides Must Be Thought Through,

Rory

Source: Myself.