JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The superintendent of Duval County Public Schools hopes to influence lawmakers to consider a multiple diploma option. It's a proposal that could potentially change the way high school students earn their degrees.
According to Dr. Nikolai Vitti a one-size-fits all diploma is not the way to go.
"Every child is different every child has their own talents we have to start tailoring our diplomas and our high school experience to those individual talents," said Dr. Vitti, Duval County Public Schools Superintendent.
Tomorrow Dr. Vitti will join two other superintendents from Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties in proposing three different diplomas.
An honors diploma, for students who will go on to a four-year university. These students would be required to pass an end of course exam.
The standard diploma geared towards students who will go to a two-year college or four-year college. These students would not be required to pass an end of course exam.
And a career technical education diploma, tailored for students pursuing technical degrees.
"Our children are dynamic thinkers, they're highly talented but one test should not define a child's ability or potential and unfortunately over the past ten years that is what has happened," said Dr. Vitti.
Dr. Vitti's proposal could potentially set the bar for the entire state of Florida.
While he does not expect legislation to be drafted immediately, he hopes it will at least get the conversation going.
"I think the legislature recognizes that one diploma is not the solution but they look at superintendents and educators for solutions and ideas and that's what I'm hoping to do tomorrow," said Dr. Vitti.
Dr. Vitti will speak before the House K-12 Education Committee and the House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee on Wednesday.
