LAUSD Proposes More Rigorous High School Requirements

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The Los Angeles Unified School District board Tuesday is debating a proposal that would require all students to take advanced courses and earn at least a "C" to graduate.

The plan would toughen the curriculum and grading scale for students as part of the district's effort to make every LAUSD graduate meet the minimum standards for admission to University of California and Cal State University schools.

LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy's strategy is to shrink the graduation requirement by making 50 required elective units optional, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. This would allow students to repeat classes or get tutoring during the school day.

"I don't for one second have a kid that has ever come up to me and say, 'You know what my plan is to drop out because things are too tough,'" Deasy told KNX 1070. "What they're saying is, 'Make sure I have the same chance as wealthy kids and more privileged kids.'"

The policy would mandate that this fall's incoming freshmen pass the A-G curriculum, which is a series of at least 15 high school courses required for admission to the UC or CSU schools, in order to graduate.

"These changes would match LAUSD standards to the UC standards, ensuring that our students are college prepared," a district spokesperson wrote on Facebook.

Critics say Deasy's plan would lower the academic bar since many students would be challenged by the new standards, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

In fact, only 15 percent of the class of 2011 passed A-G classes with a "C" or better.

If approved, the new curriculum would be implemented this fall.