Op-Ed: What Should Be Required for High School Graduation?
Whether I'm out in the district talking to constituents, on the floor of the Texas House, or at home with my kids, everyone has something to say about high school graduation requirements. In recent years, the state has mandated more and more courses, leading to our current situation - four mandatory years of English, math, science, and social studies and strict elective requirements for most students. This approach has raised concerns about course flexibility, the opportunity for vocational training, and the lack of local input.
It's my opinion that rigid course requirements are not good for our students. Our schools need to accommodate all of our children - whether they're aiming for a four-year university, a community college, a technical school, or a high school diploma.
Remember that Texas has three pathways to graduation: Minimum HSP, Recommended HSP and Distinguished Achievement Program. Students pursuing the Minimum plan are required to complete 4 credits of English, 3 of math, 2 of science and 2½ of social studies as core curriculum. The Recommended and Distinguished plans require the four-by-four curriculum plus additional academic courses such as foreign language.
Last session, I voted to pass a major public education bill that begins to scale back course requirements. House Bill 3 adds flexibility to the state's "Recommended" program by reducing the number of elective requirements, like P.E., speech, technology and health. While it will not eliminate the four-by-four program, it can increase a students elective hours from 3.5 to 6. This is an important step toward increasing student choice and improving public education.
These changes are currently being reviewed by the State Board of Education. The Board met in September to discuss House Bill 3 and will finalize the new graduation requirements and curriculum offerings in the upcoming months. Suggestions include a wider range of classes to qualify as science, math, or elective credits, an additional physical education requirement, and adjustments to the health, computer and fitness requirements for the Minimum and Distinguished plans. Many school districts have delayed changing their graduation requirements until they are approved by the Board.