On June 9, 2003, Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed the “Quality Education Act,” establishing several regulations intended to carry out the new “class size amendment” to Florida’s constitution.

Many teachers, students and parents were caught by surprise this summer when they learned that the Quality Education Act made it law that Florida students could be allowed to graduate with a high school diploma by completing only three years of high school, by taking a condensed track of 18 specific classes, also known as credits.

Before this article gets into much more of the details of how this works, here’s the bottom line for BEAM students.  To quote North Miami Beach Principal Ray Fontana during the fast track information meeting at the NMBHS library on August 5,

“At this point, no BEAM students will be allowed to take the three-year track."

In other words, if you are in BEAM, you are on the standard four-year track at this time, and it doesn’t look like you can get out of it.

This is primarily because, as you know, BEAM offers a unique curriculum.  It can’t be squeezed into three years and still be true to its purpose.  If you would like to discuss this further with BEAM Counselor Leslie Stevens or BEAM Lead Teacher Dr. Barbara Rothstein, they are available at the school by appointment.

For the rest of the students of NMB High School, fast-track graduation is a real option.  It allows students to cut their time in high school from three to four years by eliminating many electives requirements that are in the standard four-year track.  It also adds a foreign language requirement, which is actually not in the standard four-year track.

Principal Fontana is asking any non-BEAM student who is interested in the three-year track to consult with his or her counselor for an evaluation of the student’s situation.

This issue will get a lot of attention in the spring of 2004 during the selection of classes for the 2004-2005 school year, a process known as “articulation.”  Keep your eyes and ears open for more to be said about this topic at that time.

If you would like more information now on the Quality Education Act and how it is being implemented in Miami-Dade schools, please visit their website about the new graduation requirements.

Send mail to eozrovitz@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: August 09, 2003