BY COURTNEY MURPHY

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Students at Texas high schools will notice a slight change in curriculum requirements this fall, as Texas lawmakers passed the House Bill 3 Graduation Plan in May, allowing high school students to take more electives and fewer required courses.

The new curriculum eliminates two semesters of computer technology, a semester of health education, and a semester of physical education. The four semesters, equivalent to two credits, will allow students greater choice in making their schedules, and for using high school as a preparation for future careers.

The curriculum will take affect beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.

SISD Superintendent Al Hambrick said the new graduation plan is very similar to the old. "Although the affected courses (physical education, health, speech, fine arts, and technology applications) are important to each student's overall education, I believe that students will welcome the flexibility and opportunity to select two-and-a-half more elective courses in the areas of their interest," he said in an e-mail. Hambrick said he thinks many of the students will continue to select these courses as electives.

House Public Education Committee Chairman Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, said he emphasized that the state is not telling school districts to do away with technology applications, health, and PE courses, according to the Associated Press. "If a kid chooses a course, he or she is more likely to be interested in it and probably will do better in it," he said. "That was one of the goals of the legislation, to make our course requirements a little more market-friendly for students."

SISD School Board President John Hendricks said that he doesn't see the changes as being all that substantive, but as a provision to add more flexibility in changing schedules.

Denison ISD Assistant Superintendent George Hatfield said that since course schedules are already set for the fall, Denison will not be making any changes in classes right now. "The changes in course requirements will allow more flexibility for students and staff as the year progresses, when we see the need to make changes and adjustments in schedules to facilitate student success."

Denison High School Lead Counselor Carrie Boettger said she thinks the Pre-Enrollment Planning program that has been in place for several years at the high school will still allow students to draft course schedules and career choices effectively. "(The program) has proved to be a huge success in helping students achieve long-term goals," she said. "The planning sessions are mandatory for all eighth grade students and parents, who actively participate in identifying strengths, talents, and interests. The new curriculum requirements will simply give everyone more flexibility when meeting individual student needs."

Sherman High School senior Jordan Hancock said that she saw the change as a window of opportunity to be able to fit more advanced placement classes into her schedule for her final year.

The number of required courses to graduate, 26 credits under the recommended high school program, will not change.