Originally published Friday, August 1, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
24 credits to graduate
The Washington State Board of Education increased the minimum-credit requirement for high-school graduation to 24 from the current 19, a critical move long overdue.
Rasing the minimum credits Washington state requires for high-school graduation is a necessary move to complement heightened standards and the goal of a meaningful diploma.
The 19-credit minimum was outdated. All but eight states in the country have moved beyond it. Washington's shift to 24 credits pushes expectations for high-school graduates into the 21st century.
"While Washington state's graduation requirements have not changed since 1985, our world has," said State Board of Education chair Mary Jean Ryan. "Globalization and technology have dramatically changed our economy and the skills required for good-paying jobs."
The increase is good for all students. State education officials laid out multiple tracks that offer diverse options for students after high school. A strong foundation in core subjects gives each student the basics.
But the paths diverge, with one preparing students to meet admission requirements for four-year colleges, a second offering career and technical preparation, and a third emphasizing apprenticeships and trade careers. Students can switch tracks.
Challenges reside in the implementation of the plan in the state's 295 school districts. The state pays for only five periods a day but the 24-credit minimum will necessitate six-period days.
Some districts use levy funds to pay for more periods. The Bellevue School District spends up to $3 million a year for a sixth period and has extended the model to middle schools.
Bellevue offers a worthy example because the more class offerings, the more likely students can meet core requirements and have room to take art, music, world languages or remedial and advanced classes. For poorer districts, extra periods are unaffordable.
The Legislature must pay for six-period days in order for this plan to work.
Yet another challenge will be the need to create courses and find teachers. For example, the ratcheting up of math requirements comes as districts report a dearth of qualified math teachers. Other districts struggle with inadequate career and vocational course offerings.
Nonetheless, the bar has been raised; districts must help students over it.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 12:45 AM
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: The peril of lower standards in the 'new journalism'
George Will / Syndicated columnist: Huckabee's detour from reason in Obama theory
Lance Dickie / Seattle Times editorial columnist: Empower health care reform close to home
Rewind | Seattle Times Editorial Board interviews school officials
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: When punishment is a crime

- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
475 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming
363 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
329 - 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
244 - Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement
231 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
191 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
170 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game
140 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
107
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review



