2 more credits proposed for high school diploma
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer
High school students would have to earn an extra two credits to graduate under new requirements that moved forward yesterday at the state Board of Education.
School board members recommended adding two credits for world language, fine arts or career and technical education, which would increase the number students need for a diploma from 22 to 24 credits. Board members also agreed to switch a half credit from guidance to a personal plan.
The new requirements will now go to the full board for a vote, and, if approved, would take effect for students who enter high school in the 2006-2007 school year and graduate by 2010. The tougher expectations for students would come at the same time the state will likely move to a single school calendar, a new student spending formula, and new school councils that would help oversee school budgets and academic plans.
Kelsey Yamasaki, a Roosevelt High School senior, said many students are taking language, art and technical education classes by choice, so they probably will not have a problem meeting the new requirements.
"I think some of them think they're overworked, but most of them will appreciate it," said Yamasaki, the legislative committee chair of the Hawai'i State Student Council. "Maybe not now, but later on in life."
It is unclear exactly how schools would respond to the graduation changes.
"Schools need to look at their school day and how their schools are structured," said Denise Matsumoto, a school board member. "I see schools being more student-focused and more student-centered."
A task force spent more than two years studying graduation requirements, but, after hearing from educators, parents and students, school board members have so far chosen not to follow most of the group's suggestions.
In March, the task force itself backed away from what turned out to be a controversial proposal to cut physical education, given concerns about obesity. Yesterday, school board members, meeting as the board's committee on regular education, opted not to follow task force advice to reduce the social studies credit and add a senior project.
Instead, board members decided to include the senior project in the BOE's recognition diploma — for students with at least a 3.0 grade-point average — increasing the number of credits for that diploma from 24 to 25 credits. According to the state Department of Education, several high schools expect students to complete senior projects, where they show their knowledge and expertise in a subject.
Overall, the new requirements would not change the standards for core subjects. English and social studies would remain at four credits; math and science would remain at three.
P.E. would continue at one credit — but students could meet it through a traditional P.E. course and an elective intended to encourage physical activity outside of school.
The task force — by deleting some requirements and adding others — had called for only a half-credit increase, not the two credits now headed for board consideration. "I want to make sure that they all think they can achieve this," said Karen Knudsen, a school board member.
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
