Commissioner proposes new graduation requirements

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis announced his proposal for what high school students need to do to graduate.

“Of the kids we do send into post secondary education, about a quarter require some type of remediation to go into credit bearing coursework. We can and we must do better,” Lewis told reporters.

Students would need to complete one of seven ways to graduate. Among them, three college-level credit hours earning a least a C grade, a passing score in one section of a college admissions or placement exam, or completion of certain classes designed to prepare students for college.

The initial proposal was criticized by some. The Lexington-based Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence had three concerns. Among them, a requirement that students have to pass a reading and math exam in order to graduate and the removal of algebra II as a requirement for all students.

“What has been consistent when we engage stakeholders across the state in this conversation, is a majority of people in our public education systems believe that it is an inappropriate requirement for every kid to receive a Kentucky high school diploma,” said the commissioner.

The commissioner says the transition readiness section was removed because some people thought it put an undue burden on smaller districts and schools with budget issues.

The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the revised requirements Wednesday.