Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

June 23, 2005

CONTACT:  JIM MORRIS Director, Public Information 573-751-3469

State Board of Education Recommends
Higher Standards for High School Graduation

The State Board of Education today gave preliminary approval to a policy that would set new graduation requirements and stiffen academic standards for all public high school students in Missouri.

During its meeting today in Jefferson City, the board approved a proposed regulation to increase the minimum state requirements for high school graduation to 24 units of credit, effective for the class of 2010. The current requirement is 22 units.

The proposed policy would increase the requirements in math, science, social studies and communication arts by one unit each. In addition, there would be new requirements for half-unit courses in the areas of health and personal finance.

There will be a formal public comment period this summer during which educators and citizens may express their views about the proposed policy. The State Board of Education must vote again on the policy this fall before it becomes final.

"I think there is widespread agreement among educators, business leaders and public officials that we need to increase expectations and academic rigor for all high school students. This policy will help Missouri achieve that goal," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King.

In April, a special task force appointed by King presented a package of recommendations to the State Board of Education for possible changes in state policies affecting high schools. The task force worked on those ideas for about a year. Changing the minimum graduation requirements is the first step toward implementing the advisory committee’s proposals.

While many school districts already have adopted local standards that meet or exceed the 24-unit requirement included in the proposed state policy, King said many districts probably will need to adjust their specific course requirements to comply with the new state guidelines.

"Too many students are requiring remedial work at the college level. Too many students are ill-prepared in the areas of math and science when they enter the workforce. The proposed standards will help address those issues," he said.

Increasing the minimum requirements for graduation is an important step, but King also emphasized that educators, students and parents must face the challenge of setting more rigorous and specific expectations for the content of courses.

"We are beginning to define grade-level expectations for the state in the core academic areas. In the long run, this is the key to moving schools and students beyond ‘seat time’ and really measuring what we want students to learn before they graduate," King said.

Here are the proposed minimum graduation requirements approved today by the State Board of Education:

Proposed High School Graduation Requirements

Communication Arts	4 units
Social Studies	3 units
Mathematics	3 units
Science	3 units
Fine Arts	1 unit
Practical Arts	1 unit
Physical Education	1 unit
Health Education	1/2 unit
Personal Finance	1/2 unit
Electives	7 units
Total	24