At the recent school board meeting, Mr. Humphreys, Prairie Grove High School Principal, recommended lowering the school’s graduation credit requirements from 23 to 22, aligning them with the state’s minimum graduation standard. Currently, Prairie Grove High School exceeds the state’s requirement by mandating an additional credit for students. However, with the recent shift from an 8-period day to a 7-period day, Mr. Humphreys explained how the opportunities for students to earn that extra credit have diminished, necessitating a change in policy.
The State vs. PGHS Requirements
While the state of Arkansas mandates 22 credits for high school graduation, Prairie Grove has historically required 23. This additional credit, which was feasible under the 8-period system, has become increasingly challenging to meet under the new 7-period day schedule. With fewer class periods available each year, students face limited opportunities to earn credits, which could potentially delay their graduation.
PGHS’s current requirements include:
4 credits in math
4 credits in literacy
3 credits in science
3 credits in social studies
Electives: 0.5 PE, 0.5 fine arts, 0.5 oral communication, 0.5 health
7 career focus credits (including the additional credit)
Why the Change is Necessary
Schools in neighboring districts such as Lincoln, Farmington, and Greenland require 22 credits for graduation but offer 32 class periods across four years, giving students more opportunities to earn those credits. In contrast, PGHS students have only 28 opportunities over the course of their high school career.
For some students, especially those involved in extracurricular activities such as athletics or cheerleading, this limitation means they may miss out on opportunities or face the possibility of needing to take courses outside of the regular school day to meet graduation requirements. For example, a student participating in athletics for four years loses 3.5 credits, reducing their available credit-earning opportunities to 24.5, making it difficult to meet the current 23-credit graduation requirement.
Additionally, reducing the graduation credit requirement will also benefit students in alternative learning environments (ALE) or those who may have fallen behind on credits. Aligning the graduation requirement with the state’s minimum will help ensure that these students can graduate on time, which is critical since the state measures success based on a four-year graduation rate.
Impact on Student Retention and Graduation Rates
The reduction in required credits could also have a positive effect on student recruitment and retention. Recently, several PGHS students transferred to nearby districts, citing the state’s minimum graduation requirements as a deciding factor. By adjusting the graduation credit requirements, PGHS hopes to remain competitive with other area schools, prevent further student transfers, and improve the four-year graduation rate.
Conclusion
Mr. Humphreys’ recommendation to reduce the number of required credits from 23 to 22 is intended to address the challenges posed by the 7-period day, improve student success rates, and make Prairie Grove more competitive with surrounding school districts. This change will help students involved in extracurricular activities balance their schedules and support at-risk students in staying on track for on-time graduation. The Board approved this proposal and it will be put into effect immediately.