State Debating Tougher High School Graduation Standards

State Board of Education Web site

The school board says the plan is critical in bringing the state's schools into the 21st century.

"We want to ensure that we're graduating students from the high school who are well-prepared to go on to the next level," Southeast Raleigh High School principal John Modest said. "In most instances, hopefully that's going to be college."

Under current standards, students in high school must take end of course tests that count for at least 25 percent of a course grade.

But, under the proposed standards, students would need to pass five end-of-course tests to graduate. Those tests would cover algebra, English, history, civics/economics and biology classes.

The plan also requires every students to do a senior project that would mean they must make a presentation about the project and write a paper about it.

"Based on the feedback that we receive from our graduates, it's one of the best things this school does for them," Modest said.

The plan, called High School Exit Standards, would take effect with students who enter high school in 2006-07 school year.

For more information, the state has details on its

Web site

.