Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

October 6, 2005

State Board Approves Higher Graduation
Requirements for Missouri Students

The State Board of Education today approved new and tougher minimum requirements for high school graduation that apply to all of Missouri’s public schools.

The new policy applies to members of the Class of 2010. Students who are now in eighth grade must plan their schedules for next year (2006-07) and the remainder of their high school careers based on the new standards.

"All students – and we emphasize ALL – need more knowledge and skills to be successful in today’s economy and in the workforce of tomorrow," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King. King has advocated the adoption of more rigorous high school standards for more than a year.

"While the new graduation requirements put more emphasis on the core academic areas, they still allow enough flexibility for students to pursue their interests in the arts, foreign language, or career-oriented courses. Kids still need to be able to make choices and explore their interests in high school," King said.

The new standards raise the minimum number of credits needed to graduate to 24. The current requirement is 22 units. Students will be required to earn four units in English and three units each in the areas of math, science and social studies. This represents an increase of one full unit in each of the four core academic areas.

In addition, the new standards require a half-unit course in "personal finance" and a half-unit course in health education.

State education officials received more than 600 comments about the proposed graduation requirements this summer. Most were positive, and more than half of all the comments (381) related to the required course in personal finance.

Nearly 200 comments expressed support for maintaining the existing standards (one unit each) in fine arts and practical arts. The new policy makes no change in these requirements. The board had initially considered a proposal to combine the two areas and give students the option of taking two units of credit in just one of the subjects.

About 50 individuals voiced opposition to the new standards, primarily because of concern that the additional academic requirements would reduce students’ ability to take elective classes in various areas.

"There has been a good debate about this issue over the past year, and we appreciate all the comments and suggestions. The new standards will create some challenges for schools and students, but I think there is a clear consensus that these requirements are a step forward for Missouri schools," King said.

King said he hopes the increased emphasis on academic courses will lead to more students choosing to take a college-entry exam, such as the ACT.

"Schools and parents should encourage all students to take more demanding courses in high school," King said. "It is clear that today’s jobs and the jobs of tomorrow require more of our graduates. The knowledge and skills that young people need have become much more similar than in the past, regardless of whether students plan to go to college or directly into the workforce after graduation."

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

Minimum 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