OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING HIGH SCHOOL REFORM.
Starting with students graduating from high school in 2016, this bill raises from 20 to 25 the number of credits required to graduate, changes course requirements, and requires the State Department of Education to provide grants to school districts to implement these changes starting in FY 12.
The bill also limits the number of adult education classes that high school students (age 16 and over) can take to two per school year. Current law prohibits adult education students enrolled in a full-time program of study in a school district from taking such classes unless they have the principal's permission, but places no limits on the number of classes. The bill specifies that high school graduation credit awarded for adult education must be awarded in proportion to the required instructional hours required for high schools, not to exceed half a credit for each adult education credit. It limits to two the number of credits earned through adult education students may use to meet graduation requirements.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009
MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Subject Area |
Current Law |
Class of 2016 and Beyond |
English |
4 |
Same, but must include English Composition |
Mathematics |
3 |
4 (including Algebra I and II and Geometry) |
Social Studies |
3 (including a half credit in civics and American Government) |
Same, but must also include 1 credit in American History. |
Science |
2 |
3 (including 2 laboratory sciences) |
Arts or Vocational Education |
1 |
Same |
Physical Education |
1 |
Same |
World Languages |
0 |
2 (see below) |
In addition to these requirements, the bill requires (1) specific course requirements in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology; humanities; and career/life skills and (2) a one credit senior demonstration project.
The bill requires school boards to (1) provide alternate means to meet these requirements if students cannot satisfactorily complete any of the required courses and (2) allow participation in a dual-enrollment magnet school funded by the Education Cost Sharing grant.
Additionally, the bill specifies that a world language course successfully completed in grade six, seven, or eight or online can count towards the graduation requirement. Current law already allows world language classes taken through a private nonprofit provider to count toward the graduation requirements. The bill requires these private classes to be completed successfully. The bill does not define “successful. ”
COMMITTEE ACTION
Education Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea |
32 |
Nay |
0 |
(04/01/2009) |