State: More algebra a must

The state Board of Education voted Thursday to require all high-school students to pass algebra II to graduate, and it agreed to work toward raising other graduation requirements as well.

Board members have been discussing, for example, whether to increase the number of classes students would have to complete to earn their diplomas, essentially making the list equal to what they'd need to apply to public, four-year colleges in Washington. That would mean additional classes in English, science, foreign language and more.

On Thursday, board members agreed in principle with that goal, as long as the Legislature provides the money high schools would need to offer those classes.

Board Chairwoman Mary Jean Ryan called the push to raise graduation requirements a "historic" step.

"We're not trying to put everyone on a four-year college path," she said. "But we are trying to make sure that college is an option," she said.

The vote on algebra II is final. Starting with the class of 2013 — this fall's eighth-graders — students will have to pass a class called "Algebra II" or classes that cover the same material.

The Legislature decided last year that all students must take three years of math, not two, and directed the state board to determine what the added year should include.

Some school districts already require three years of math, but most don't specify that the third year should be algebra II. And many districts — such as Seattle, Mercer Island, Shoreline and Issaquah — require just two years of math.

The board also decided that students could opt out of algebra II, but only if they show another math class makes more sense for their career plans.

The math change, however, looks as if it may be just the first step in a major overhaul of Washington's graduation requirements.

The board voted unanimously that it would like to require students to earn a minimum of 24 credits in high school, rather than 19. (School districts can — and some do — require more right now.)

The board made it clear, however, that it won't impose new requirements without more money from Olympia. In particular, it would like the state to provide the dollars high schools need to offer six periods each day. (Now the state pays for five periods, and many districts pay for a sixth with local property-tax dollars — which are supposed to be for "extras," not basic education.)

The board calls its effort "Core 24" referring to the 24-credit minimum. A credit is what a high-school student earns for passing a yearlong class.

Under the proposal, those 24 credits would include: three years of math, four years of English (up from three), three years of science (up from two), three years of social studies (up from 2 ½), two years of arts (up from one), three years of career courses (up from one), two years of a foreign language (up from zero), one half year of health (up from zero), 1 ½ years of fitness (down from two), and two years of electives (down from 5 ½).

Students who don't plan to go to college would be exempt from taking a foreign language.

As it works to gain funding, however, the board also plans to seek help in ironing out many details, such as whether some classes could count toward meeting more than one requirement. Some science classes, for example, might count as both a science and a career class.

If the proposal receives final approval, it would be phased in between 2013 and 2016.

Linda Shaw: 206-464-2359

or lshaw@seattletimes.com