High School Graduation Debate in the United States: Fewer Credits, Deeper Learning?
The Moscow School District in the U.S. state of Idaho has brought a proposal to reduce the number of credits required for high school graduation onto its agenda. The proposal being considered by the Moscow School Board aims to ease the workload on students and teachers, reduce attendance problems, and create more balanced school schedules.
Under the current system, students are required to complete 51 credits in order to graduate, while the district’s minimum graduation requirement is 46 credits. If the proposal is approved, the number of daily class periods at Moscow High School could be reduced from seven to six. School administrators state that this change would not shorten the school day; instead, more time would be allocated to each class period. Moscow High School Principal Erik Perryman said their goal is not to make education easier, but to help students study subjects in greater depth.
One of the main reasons behind the proposal is that many 11th- and 12th-grade students, having already completed enough credits for graduation, choose lighter course schedules. This reportedly leads some students to arrive late, leave school early, or spend less time on campus.