Students not fond of math and science will have to endure an extra year of each to graduate from Douglas High School, thanks to new legislation passed by the state of Nevada in 2007.
Students graduating in 2011 or beyond are now mandated to take four units of math instead of three, and three units of science instead of two.
"This will create a higher level of rigor," said Douglas County School District Superintendent Carol Lark.
District officials read changes to the graduation policy for the first time at the March 11 school board meeting at Douglas High School. A change in policy requires two public readings before it can be ratified.
The number of units required to graduate from Douglas High School, 23, will not change. Rather, students will be afforded less electives, from 6.5 units to 4.5.
Other required areas of study will remain the same: four units of English, two units of physical education, a half unit of health and a half unit of speech, one unit of fine arts or career and technical education, three units of social studies, a half unit of computer literacy, plus the extended science and math credits.
"We have extremely high standards for our students," said Lark. "I think they are fully capable of meeting expectations."
