Board of Ed increases graduation requirements

SEATTLE (AP) — After much debate, the Washington State Board of Education voted Thursday to increase state high school graduation requirements, beginning with the class of 2016.

The new requirements add one year of English and half a year of social studies. But they will only affect about 20 percent of the state’s school districts, because many districts have already increased their requirements. Among those affected are three of the largest districts, Seattle, Everett and Tacoma.

Because of concern by school districts, the board also approved a plan to give them until 2018 to adopt the new graduation requirements if the local school board applies for and is granted a waiver.

Twenty-eight districts will need to add a half-credit of social studies and 32 districts will need to add between one-half and one credit of English. Twelve districts will need to add credits in both subjects.

Beginning with the class of 2016, Washington graduates will need to earn four English credits, and three credits of social studies to graduate.

The board also loosened some other graduation requirements to make it easier for school districts to adjust to the change, said Board Chairman Jeff Vincent.

Vincent said much of the public comment at this week’s Board of Education meeting in Vancouver was against the increase in credit requirements, but he said the board has been seeking input on this proposal for months and the debate has been more balanced over time.

Many urged the board to move forward on its education reform efforts because they feel the state is not providing every kid with the education they need, Vincent said.