Honors credit plan is target for critics

LARGO -- Pinellas school superintendent Howard Hinesley's proposed solution to a controversy over extra credit for honors courses has not satisfied some critics.

This year, 88 honors courses were added to the list of courses that merit extra credit when grade point averages are computed. All students enrolled in those classes are eligible to receive the so-called quality points.

Some students and teachers complained the new policy is unfair. They said it would affect students' class rankings, bumping some students ahead of their peers who took the same course in previous years when the extra credit wasn't awarded.

Hinesley's proposed solution: Award the extra credit only to this year's ninth graders. He said any other option could hurt some students' chances at getting into Florida colleges or winning scholarships.

But a half-dozen students and parents told School Board members Tuesday they also oppose Hinesley's new proposal. They want the extra credit to be applied retroactively for students who took the affected classes in previous years.

"We are not asking for something they haven't earned," said parent Denise Prior.

Meredith Johnson, a sophomore at East Lake High School, said it's not fair that she could spend the next three years of high school in classes with younger students who earn more points for the same work.

"Young lady, you swayed me," said board member Jane Gallucci. "I can't imagine sitting in those classes, doing the same work, not getting the points. That's not fair."

Several other School Board members took no position. The board will vote on the proposed changes next month.

In other news:

-- Hinesley has decided to close two sections -- "open forum" and "humor and inspiration" -- of the district's employee computer system. A moderator found that employees were posting personal and sometimes off-color messages.

-- The School Board amended its contract with Academie Da Vinci, an arts-focused charter school in Dunedin that opened in 1997. The new contract allows the school to begin serving 100 home-schooled students part-time. The school enrolls 100 students full-time.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright