The South Dakota Board of Education heard the first reading regarding new graduation requirements at its September meeting. If adopted, the new standards would divide high school programs of study into three paths.

The “standard” path defines the minimal course of study a student would need to take to graduate. New changes include courses in physical education or health, economics or personal finance, world history, and two units of any combination of world languages, computer studies, or an approved career and technical education course.

The “advanced” curriculum would be the recommended course of study all students would take, unless the school and parents agree the student should take the standard curriculum. This path includes higher requirements in math and science as well as one unit of world language. Students finishing the advanced high school program would receive a notation identifying their completion on their transcript.

The “distinguished” high school program follows the same requirements as those defined by the South Dakota Opportunities Scholarship.

If passed by the Board of Education in November, the proposed changes would begin with students entering the ninth grade in 2005.

To view the proposed standards, go to www.state.sd.us/deca/gradrequirements/index.asp.