Tougher graduation rules posed

BOISE – The state Board of Education has planned a Thursday vote on a new proposal to bolster Idaho’s high school math and science requirements.

A reform plan proposed earlier ultimately unraveled in the Legislature.

At a meeting in Idaho Falls, the eight-member board is expected to decide among three new proposals or it could tinker with the options to set forth a composite plan.

“I’ll be receptive to a healthy discussion to how we can bridge the gap between what we’re requiring currently and what Idaho can support toward a more rigorous curriculum,” board member Sue Thilo said.

To graduate from high school in Idaho, a student currently must complete two years of math, with no specific required classes, and two years of science.

Two of the new proposals would raise graduation standards to require one additional year of math and compulsory classes in first-year algebra and geometry. A third measure would mandate four years of math, but with no guidelines for mandatory classes. That would allow schools to offer vocational classes to satisfy math requirements.

Also at issue is whether high schools should force students to take two years of algebra – a move that would boost college entrance examination scores, advocates say – or allow individual districts to opt out of a second-year algebra requirement.

Once the board adopts a preliminary plan, it will schedule a series of public meetings before adopting a final proposal to put before the Legislature in January.

The board could also resurrect last year’s curriculum redesign proposal, which would have required four years of math and passing grades in algebra and geometry.

All plans add another mandatory year of science instruction.

In the last legislative session, the ambitious reform package cleared the House Education Committee. The Senate Education Committee rejected the plan, but, as a rule change rather than a law, the proposal could still have gone into effect since it passed one chamber.

In the end, a joint budget-writing panel stymied the plan by failing to fully pay for its implementation.

Backers said a coalition of arts proponents, who feared stiff math requirements would come at the expense of music and drama classes, and families who worried religious instruction could get lost in the shuffle, also contributed to the collapse.

The new proposals intentionally offer more flexibility to individual districts to allay fears that schools would sacrifice local control, said Luci Willits, Board of Education spokeswoman.

“There was a lot of misunderstanding. We were outgunned by folks who thought they could never take an art or music class again,” she said. “There are parts of the state that are very independent and don’t like state intrusion. These plans are designed to allow local schools to address the issue, while raising the bar at the same time.”

This summer, the education board gathered 13 focus groups across the state in an effort to line up support from parents, teachers and other interested parties.

Nationwide, Idaho is one of 10 states requiring just two years of math and science. Three states – Nebraska, Colorado and Massachusetts – do not have statewide requirements.

There is concern that Idaho’s reluctance to redesign its high school curriculum or the Legislature’s hesitation in paying for such changes will shortchange students who are being outpaced by those from other states with a grounding in math and science.

The international economy relies more and more on brainy workers to interpret technology, but schools in Idaho, like many young students, seem to suffer from math anxiety, Willits said.

“Culturally, there is an issue with math,” she said. “People hide if they can’t read, but they will brag if they can’t do math.”