Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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 Math Club Sponsor Wendell Hearne gives last minute instructions to the club at the High School for Health Professions tournament. The Math Club enjoyed the largest membership in its history this year. Photo by V. Pai NHS inductees Senior Carl Beury and Juniors Mitt Morgan and Kirk Evans munch down refreshmentsat the reception following the induction ceremony. NHS was forced to have six weeks grade checks of its members (rathor than only at the end of the semester) because of HB 72. Photo by M. Spiller nlors Charlie Vasquez and ive Burt take advantage of senior privilege of off-campus lunch. Contrary to most rumors, off-campus lunch privileges will remain intact and unaffected by HB 72 next year. Photo by V. Pai Education Reforms 31

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Legislature Forces H.B. 72 Reforms As school let out for summer vacation in May 1984. many students did not realize how tremendously the special summer session of the Texas legislature would affect their lives. House Bill 72, sponsored by H. Ross Perot’s Select Committee on Public Education (SCOPE), and H.B. 246, initiated many education changes. Seniors returned to school disheartened because of the loss of final exemptions. Senior government teacher Mrs. Brandt remarked. ‘‘I miss them (exemptions). By second semester I think you've done all the finals taking you need to do. I understand the intent of the legislation, but I don’t think it will necessarily prove anything. Even though exams are important, the Seniors have worked for the privilege of exemptions . . .’’ said Senior Ray Schmidt. H.B. 72 instituted the ‘no pass no play' rule which affected all extracurricular activities. It stated that if students were not passing all six classes at the end of the six weeks, they would be ineligible for the following six weeks. Girls Cross Country and Track Coach Liz Parke said. I feel it is a little harsh. Most coaches stress academics and agree that grades are important, but I feel that maybe we should be allowed to check grades after three weeks instead of six. The bill also stated that students would not be allowed more than ten school business” absences per year or over eight hours of participation due to activities per week.Teachers received a whopping state salary base of $15,000. Another issue of concern to students was absences allowed per semester. In the past. AISD students were allowed fifteen absences per semester. Statewide regulations changed this to a combination of ten excused and unexcused absences per semester. Although these are the most talked about changes, they are not the only ones. Graduation requirements were raised to 22 credits and students were allowed to choose one of three graduation plans to pursue. As a result, electives began to suffer a lack of enrollment of college bound students. Discipline policies were altered to comply with new state regulations. IBS became the Special Assignments Class - SAC. and students received 100% credit Junior Dorothy Kolb strives for the finish line at the District Cross Country meet at Bear Creek Park. Because of H.B. 72’s new attendance regulations. most cross country meets had to be held on Saturday and coaches watched eligibility carefully. Photo by M. Spillor for completed work rather than 80%. Junior Michelle Solomon remarked. It made me realize just how ‘lucky’ we were in AISD. The rules were fair but not overly strict.” Senior Scott McFarlane described Governor White wanted an education reform so much that he just jumped at the first thing that came along even if it was a bit extreme. By Rae Rabe. Editor-in-Chief Hastings Senior Tracy Page and Elsik Sophomore Sharon Moebos attend the Bejart Ballet along with other members of the French Club. The French Club was virtually unaffected by HB 72 because the majority of thelractivities took place on Saturday. Photo by M. Spiller Ready Or Not . . . 30 Education Reforms

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Courses Created To Fulfill HB2 46 Requirements Students scheduling their classes for the 1985-86 school year found a number of new courses had been added to the curriculum. To meet the requirements of House Bill 246. four new courses were created: Introduction to Biology. Introduction to Computer Programming, World Geography, and Business Data Processing. According to North House Counselor Molly Brown. “Introduction to Biology is a lab oriented course teaching the basics of biology.” If a student opts to take World Geography, he will study different cultures in all the major cultures of the world as well as examine the role physical environments play in the interaction of people. The demand for new computer courses and the growing use of computers in society prompted legislators to require school districts to offer more computer oriented courses. Elsik already offers a computer math class through the Math Department. However, only those students with a math background higher than Algebra I are eligible to take it. “The new computer courses differ from the present computer math class in that the math levels are different. Students would want to take Introduction to Computer Programming and Business Data Processing to gain a more general knowledge of computers.” explained Mrs. Brown, head counselor. ”1 would say that all the new courses available to students, especially the computer courses, will help students because they will appeal to those who aren't math oriented.” Counselors were concerned mainly with the class of '88 - the freshmen. Since all the new graduation requirements took affect with their entrance to high school. parent counselor and student conferences have become necessary to plan out Students work in fourth period Computer Math. New wings planned for com- pletion in 1987 will house brand new computer facilities. Photo by L. Catos a student's schedule for the next four years of school. “We've been working closely with the freshmen, showing them they have to plan earlier and be more selective in the classes they take.” said Mrs. Brown. The class of '88 will be able to choose among three graduation plans: the Regular Program, Advanced Program, and Advanced with Honors Program. Freshman Chris Fox said. I chose the Advanced Program because I think it will give me a better chance of getting into college.” Mrs. Brown stressed that even though a student may choose to follow a Regular Graduation plan, it would still be a college preparatory plan. “All three can be college preparatory,” she stated. Some students had already taken the time at home to work out their four year plan. Freshman Due Tran said. I've already planned out everything I will need to take to graduate with the Advanced Plan. To me passing a course has always been secondary to making an ‘A’ in it.” said Due. Some students, unlike Due, are not college bound and instead may choose to take Vocational Education to help them gain work experience. At first there was some question as to how the new graduation requirements would affect the vocational programs. Vocational Counselor John Hall cleared up the confusion. “It is still possible to take vocational classes anc graduate with an Advanced Plan. said Mr. Hall. Since it now takes 22 credits to graduate there won’t be much room for failing.” concluded Mrs. Browr I really feel the students will benefit , from this.” By Audra i Sanchez. Reporter; Edited by C. Vang ; Course name changes include: English lll-L to Correlated English Arts III, English IV-L to Correlated Language Arts IV, Trigonometry and Elementary Analysis to Pre-Calculus, Introduction to Business to Personal Business, Mechanical Drafting to Engineering Graphics Honors Courses will include: English III Honors English IV Honors Pre-Calculus Honors Calculus Honors AP Biology ll Honors AP Chemistry ll Honors AP Physics ll Honors AP United States History Honors AP World Area Studies Honors AP Advanced Languages l Honors AP 32 New Curriculum H.B. 246