Board of Education raises math requirements for high schools

Monday, Nov. 1, 1999 | 11:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's high school graduates soon will have three years of math to their credit, the state Board of Education has decided.

The board after five public hearings adopted tougher standards on Friday beginning with this year's freshman class. Graduates through the Class of 2002 will need only two math credits to get their diplomas.

Clark County already requires three years of math for its graduates.

The board also approved an advanced diploma program that would show colleges that prospective students had taken a more challenging course of study.

The higher math standard statewide was in response to a low pass rate last year on the state's newly toughened proficiency exam that all students must pass before graduating. The passing score on the math portion had been raised from 61 to 64.

Last summer more than 700 seniors failed to graduate from high school because they didn't pass the proficiency exams. Most failed the math portion.

Students will still be required to earn 22 1/2 credits for graduation -- 15 required courses, up from the previous 14, and only 7 1/2 electives.

The new rule also tightens the requirement for students to take remedial courses if they have failed the high school graduation test. The present regulation requires remedial courses for students by the end of junior year if they have not demonstrated proficiency in English or math.

The new regulation requires the district to provide free remedial study to students in grades 11 and 12 who fail the proficiency examination two or more times or are found to be deficient in English, math or science. However, students may be required to pay if they fail because of attendance problems.

The advanced diplomas would be awarded to students who pile up 24 credits and pass the proficiency examination. Board members said in the past that seniors who amass only the minimum 22_frac1/2 credits sometimes can't get accepted into college.

The advanced diploma will require three years of science instead of two for the regular diploma. And the advanced degree calls for one credit in social studies, which is not required for the standard course.

Standards were also set for advancing in high school to the next level. Freshmen who entered high school this year must earn a minimum of five credits to be promoted to a sophomore. By the end of the sophomore year, students must have 11 credits to be promoted. Seventeen credits are required at the end of the junior year to become a senior.