The State Board of Education approved a rule Thursday that clarifies high school graduation requirements, including senior math.

The rule clarifies that Idaho students are still required to take a senior math class, unless they meet one of two exceptions:

• Having already completed eight math credits, including Algebra II.
• Having already completed six math credits, including calculus.

Everyone else needs to take senior math.

The rule is designed to promote clarity following last year’s legislative session.

“The requirement has been and is still in place,” State Board spokesman Mike Keckler. “The proposed rule clarifies the two exemptions.”

State Board members voted unanimously to approve the rule. Next up, the State Board will open a 21-day public comment period, likely in October. The rule will then go back to the State Board, which will have the ability to approve it and send it on to the Legislature for consideration during the 2019 legislative session.

The rule also expands the number of computer science courses and expands and clarifies senior project requirements.

Keckler and State Board President Linda Clark said the senior project requirements are designed to emphasize the high expectation for the project and promote a rigorous, inquiry based research approach to the projects. New language will clarify that senior projects can be multi-year projects and that group projects are allowed.

The State Board also met in executive session to discuss a personnel or evaluation issue related to University of Idaho, but took no action.