My homestate and grad requirements

I have mixed feelings after reading an article from the Dallas Morning News about there are new graduation requirements in my homestate. Starting this year, students will need more science mathematics courses in order to get a high school diploma. In the past, the state required three years of math and science. According to the article, the state has some of the toughest graduation requirements in the country. These new requirements would help aspiring students to enter careers in science and engineering but it would hurt the future artists and musicians. Also, it would require students to take fewer amount of elective coursework. For students that want to take a lighter load need to have parents', counselors', and the school administration's permission in order to do so. On top of these new requirements, students have to also pass the TAKS test, which replaces the TAAS test, in order to receive a high school diploma.

Back when I was in high school, the minimum number of credits for science: 2 and mathematics: 3. However, I took 6 credits of science because I was able to make time for it due to that my high school adapted to block-scheduling (6 credits vs. 8 credits per semester). Now, the majority of the Texas high schools have adapted to block-scheduling model. Students can find a way of squeezing in required courses while still taking classes that they are passionate about.

Hacker, H.K. State to require more of grads. (July 16, 2006). The Dallas Morning News. [Online]. Retrieved August 6, 2006 from http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/bi/gold_print.cgi