Duo want high school bar raised
Measure would waive test for high achievers
Reps. Brad Daw, R-Orem, and John Dougall, R-American Fork, propose First Substitute HB230 to increase graduation requirements and allow high achievers on college entrance exams to skip the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test, which students now have to try at least three times to get a high school diploma.
The substitute bill is expected to be released today. House floor debate is expected next week.
The idea is to add rigor to the senior year, wisely spend time and education dollars, create a more educated work force and cut back on the need for remedial classes in Utah colleges and universities.
"Everyone recognizes we've got to raise the bar . . . just to maintain competitiveness in the global economy," Dougall said. "I believe (current expectations) send the wrong message about Utah . . . and its ability to perform."
The proposed First Substitute HB230 would require Utah students, beginning with this year's freshmen, to take four years each of English and "applied or theoretical" math and science courses, or test out or otherwise demonstrate that level of competency in those subjects.
Students with disabilities would receive exceptions as deemed appropriate by their individual education plans.
Also, students scoring overall in the top 15 percent in a national college entrance test and in the top 25 percent nationally in each subtest wouldn't have to pass the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test, which students now must at least try three times to get a diploma. The idea is to save time and tax dollars on students likely to pass anyway.
The state now requires three years of language arts, two years of math at least to the level of geometry and applied math II, and two yeas of science, plus 2.5 credits of social studies; 1.5 in the arts; 2 of P.E./health, and others.
School districts have to offer at least 24 credits. At least a third of additional requirements have to be in math, language arts, world languages, science or social studies under state regulations.
That's just not enough rigor, Daw said.
"So, many seniors this year are taking the year off," Daw said. "What we want to do here is say, not everyone going to high school is going to college. But everyone going to high school should get a complete education."
Such criticisms are discussed regularly by policymakers. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Laing in 2002 proposed high school students take four years of English, and three years each of math and science, plus another half year of art.
You can be the first to comment on this story.