As Creative Tutors has listened to the frustration of students and their parents regarding their  struggles with the 4 x4  state educational requirements  and tutored those students to successfully complete these more rigorous courses--I wonder is this good for all students?  In years past, students were required to take four years of English and social studies, and only three years of mathematics and science. This means that under the 4x4 educational requirement  almost everyone has to take Physics, precalculus and more.   Do  you think that all high schoolers need to take  4 years of science and math  to graduate in the recommended or distinguished high school programs?

The former 24-credit schedule was less demanding which provided students more opportunities to push ahead in high school coursework and pursue early graduation or obtain college credit. By requiring an additional year of math and science – two subjects that are challenging learners across the state – the TEA has increased the rigor in obtaining a diploma. The move ensures that graduating seniors will no longer enter college after a one-year hiatus from both subjects, which officials hope will enhance the declining classroom performance of incoming collegiate freshmen.

But the move also leaves no room for error. There is no longer an assurance of extra elective periods where students have customarily had the option to take dual-credit courses, obtain college credit and graduate at mid-term. Instead, math and science are now required in two full-year blocks that were formerly electives.

And if students fall behind, the new schedule leaves no room to recover credit the following year – another traditional safety valve.