The District 241 Board of Education approved new graduation standards in May, and they will be in effect starting with the 2001-2002 school year.

Saturday, July 21, 2001

The District 241 Board of Education approved new graduation standards in May, and they will be in effect starting with the 2001-2002 school year.

For athletes or those involved in other activities, the standards are not just something that needs to be met by the end of their senior year. It means they’ll need to complete a certain number of credits – a number that rises with the class of 2004 and beyond – in order to participate in extracurricular activities.

These, according to Albert Lea High School Athletic Director Ross Williams, are the credit requirements to be considered eligible for District 241 activities:

* Class of 2002 and 2003 – end of sophomore year/start of junior year, 14 credits; junior year, end of term two, 21 credits; end of term four, 28 credits; senior year, end of term two, 34 credits; end of term four, 40 credits;

* Class of 2004 and beyond – freshman year, end of term two, seven credits; end of term four, 14 credits; sophomore year, end of term two, 21 credits; end of term four, 28 credits; junior year, end of term two, 35 credits; end of term four, 42 credits; senior year, end of term two, 49 credits; end of term four, 56 credits.

The new standards, according to Williams, are more in line but not more stringent than Minnesota State High School League guidelines.

&uot;Every school has different requirements for graduation,&uot; said Williams. &uot;The state high school league says students must make progress toward graduation. This is the minimum. It’s not more strict. It’s very general; they should be making progress.&uot;

Williams also said the new guidelines should not be a cause for concern.

&uot;They just need to be passing their classes,&uot; said Williams. &uot;Like they should do.&uot;