In 1998, Minnesota added grad-standards to the list of requirements for graduation (Academic Programs). It stated that each student, starting with the class of 2002 needed 24 different standards to graduate (2000 letter for the Principal). The grad-standards were not only hard to read both by the student and their teachers, but it made it difficult for the students to graduate. For example, one of my friends, Becca Ward, need to 2 of the standards exempted because of problems with the transferring of her standards and retaking those classes was not possible.

When the state wrote these standards they had made them in a way that left both the teachers and students wondering what exactly the state wanted. I had to ask our schools

C. Analyze characteristics of shape, size, and space in art, architecture, design or nature

If grad-standards were not worded at a college level or higher I would agree with them. For other people and I that have disabilities it became a big problem when they were give the standards in the way that the state had written them. I know that this is true because I have a reading disability. My disability is different from others because I am smart I just have a lower ability to do the work. I also found out when I was older and so I was kept in regular classes.

E. Use properties of shape, location, or measurement to justify reasoning in a logical argument; and

F. Demonstrate understanding of measurement accuracy, error, and tolerances. (Minnesota content standards, appendix 1)

For this standard my math teacher had my class design and build a place that would fit a toy person or animal. We then had to write

Some common words found in the essay are:
Becca Ward, Academic Programs, , demonstrate understanding, special education, academic programs, stated student,
Approximate Word count = 616
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)