The state Board of Education agenda July 12 includes the course list from which 22 credits will be required for high school graduation. Journalism and physics — to name two courses no longer required to be taught at Arkansas high schools— are among the courses listed for elective credit counting toward graduation, if available

But Here’s the breakdown of required courses for the minimum 38 credits districts must offer.

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* 6 in English language arts. Journalism I is acceptable, if available, for part of the 1.5 credits in a list of electives, but is not required to be offered.

* 6 in math. I note Algebra II, a requirement in my day, is now merely an elective, but pre-calculus is required to be offered   CORRECTION:  Algebra II IS still required to be offered. I misread the list. Bridge to algebra II is possible elective.

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* 4 in social studies. I see world history since 1450 IS a required course though some concerns about its elimination as a required offering had been raised earlier. Arkansas history is a half-credit elective.

* 2 in foreign language.

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* 5 in science. Physics is among the allowable electives, if available.

* 1.5 in physical education and health. Don’t worry, there is no required sex education. Whether “health” includes comprehensive sex education will presumably be up to the school districts. If past practice holds, many students will not get that instruction. But many WILL get pregnant.

* 3.5 in fine arts. There’s no specific course requirement here, rather a range of electives including music and visual arts. A district could choose not to offer some.

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* 9 in “career education.” Here’s the full description:


3 Programs of Study representing three (3) of the following occupational areas.

Agriculture Science and Technology
Business and Marketing Technology
Family and Consumer Sciences
Trade and Industry
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

You may recall that journalists raised a ruckus before the legislature about the elimination of journalism from required course offerings. To no avail.

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