K-12 Education: Increase standards

If students are going to be prepared for the future, Washington's high schools must provide them more substantive, demanding course work. After a year and a half of quiet preparation, the state Board of Education is in a good position to set credible standards that better prepare all students for advanced learning, full citizenship and economic opportunity.

At a meeting beginning Wednesday, the board should adopt new high school graduation requirements for 24 credits, to be phased in from 2013 to 2016. The plan will serve students much better than today's lax state minimum of 19 credits. Even in many districts that already demand more credits, the strong math, science, English and foreign language requirements may set a higher bar.

Students are cheated by graduation requirements that don't qualify them to apply to a state's four-year college. While offering good flexibility, the proposal would make college preparation the default pathway; that will be a huge help for minority students who often aren't pushed that way.

The board has clearly listened to concerns about trying to do too much with scant resources. It will hold off implementation if the Legislature doesn't approve funding for improvements. Board member Eric Liu says the framework "is tied up completely" with fighting for more funds.

The board must communicate to the Legislature and the governor the need for more meaningful high school education. Adopting new requirements will send a clear, sound message.