New grad requirements and fewer school districts?

Maybe, maybe not. Two notable reports came out this week that could be part of major changes in our state's schools.

High school graduation requirements haven't changed since 1984. But dramatic changes are in the works as the State Board of Education comes close to finalizing CORE 24, a new set of graduation requirements that boosts the number of credits from 19 to 24 with students choosing a track that preps them either for college, college and career, or career. Legislators must ultimately approve the changes and are certainly open to feedback about the Board's proposal.

Also in education, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee released its preliminary report on school district size and cost. There are 295 school districts in the state, and some legislators have been questioning whether we should consolidate some of the districts to save money. Such a move isn't without controversy, however, so JLARC's findings will provide some data to help legislators grapple with that question over the coming months.