Board of Ed beefs up graduation requirements

By Kevin Dayton and Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Staff Writers

KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — The state Board of Education beefed up the Hawai'i's public high school graduation requirements last night, mandating that students study fine arts, a language other than English or take career and technical education classes.

The policy would take effect for students who enter high school in the 2006-2007 school year and graduate by 2010.

Increasing the credit requirement for graduation could force schools to squeeze more work into the school day and give students less margin for failure. Students who want a BOE recognition diploma, an honor that requires at least a 3.0 grade-point average, would have to develop a one-credit senior project, for 25 credits overall, up from 24 today.

Some school board members anticipated objections to the greater workload from teachers and school administrators, but no substantial opposition has surfaced. The school board has backed the changes as part of a broader effort to raise academic expectations and better equip students for college and the workforce.

"Changes are coming fast and furious. I think students, teachers and administrators are up to the challenge," said Shawn Suzuki, the principal at Konawaena High School, which hosted the school board meeting yesterday.

Michelle Yaqoob, who will be a junior next school year at Moanalua High School, said most of the students she had talked with did not find the changes very appealing. "It could be harder," she said. "It depends on what kind of student the person is."

Some educators have discussed the possibility of extending the school day or rearranging class schedules to ensure that students have the opportunities to take all the required courses.

Bryce Mendez, who graduated from King Kekaulike High School in Maui and is ending his term as the student member of the school board, said there is some concern about whether borderline students will be able to keep up, especially at schools on six-period schedules, where they are able to earn a maximum of 24 credits over four years.

The new policy does not change the requirements for core courses. Four years of study will continue to be required for English and social studies, while three credits will still be required for math and science.

The physical education requirement will continue to be one credit, although under the new policy students would meet that requirement with a traditional half-year PE class, and an elective intended to encourage lifelong physical activity outside of school.

Board of Education member Karen Knudsen said the new policy looks "great on paper" but expressed concerns about the practical impact of the changes. Among other things, she wondered if the changes will cost more money and whether the department has prepared for that possibility.

State Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto said the new requirements are not expected to cost more, but the public school system will have to work with the University of Hawai'i to find or train qualified teachers for the new required courses.

"It will impact the teaching ranks because now we're looking for the the world languages, we're putting an emphasis on the career technical, and we know that these are shortage areas," Hamamoto said. "Nevertheless we need to move forward, and we're looking at that."

The board will also require that the four credits for social studies include a half-credit in Modern History of Hawai'i and a half-credit in Participation in Democracy. Students also would have to have a personal or transition plan, instead of taking guidance, as they do now.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.