By Amy Bounds
Camera Staff Writer

Boulder Valley high school graduates should be bilingual and know how to engage in the democratic process as well how to relax and have fun.

Those are some the skills that came out of the district's recent "new century graduate visioning process." About 400 community members participated through 12 meetings in different areas to develop a consensus of what the Boulder Valley community expects of a high school graduate.

The thousands of suggestions generated have been compiled into a report for the school board. If the board votes to accept the report, it will help drive decisions on curriculum and where the district should focus resources.

"This should be a document that's used," said Clair Beckmann, one of three community members who served as chairs of the study. She is hoping to see an annual report from the district on the progress made in making changes to reflect the community's vision.

Part of that vision includes requiring students in Boulder Valley to learn a second language before they graduate. A firm grasp of academic subjects such as reading, science and math, as well as an appreciation for the arts, also are priorities.

And while the participants said academic skills are important, practical skills ranked even higher. Those include knowing how to budget and balance a checkbook, being physically fit, not using drugs, knowing how to cook and sew and knowing how to look for a job.

The participants also produced a long list of personal characteristics, including motivation, a willingness to take risks, exhibiting personal integrity, having an open mind and valuing differences.

"The list is pretty comprehensive, and the expectations are pretty high for the new-century graduate," said Richard Lopez, a former Boulder city councilman and a chair of the study.

The report breaks out themes from sessions for Spanish speakers, the Hmong community and students. About 13 percent of the district's students this year are Hispanic, 5 percent are Asian and 9 percent are learning English as a second language.

Spanish speakers said the new-century graduate should be expected to graduate, have dreams for a better future and have and use their voice. Violence also was a concern for this community, including school violence, gangs and resolving conflicts.

The Hmong community's ideas included being prepared to go to college, knowing how to use a computer and knowing how to adapt to the lifestyle around them. Knowing how to be humble, to respect parents and to be kind to others also were themes.

Students said graduates need to have real life and practical skills, demonstrate tolerance and respect for diversity and have the ability to advocate for their beliefs.

"There's some real meat here for us to contemplate," said Boulder Valley Deputy Superintendent Mack Clark. "We have to figure out what resources are necessary."

The school board plans to discuss the report at today's retreat. The retreat is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. at Storage Technologies in Louisville. Other items on the agenda include discussions on a bond issue or mill override election and the federal "No Child Left Behind" legislation.

A copy of the report is expected to be on-line by Friday at www.bvsd.k12.co.us/.

Contact Amy Bounds at boundsa@thedailycamera.com or (303) 473-1341.

May 30, 2002

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