HS Graduation Credit Minimum Reduced

The Board of Education voted Monday to approve reducing the number of required credits for graduating high school students in the Morris School District, from 140 to 120.

While the state standard for required credits is 120, the district had voted a number of years ago to raise its standard. The reverse course came when the district said it realized some students who would be eligible to graduate pretty much anywhere else in New Jersey were having a hard time graduating here. Most students, officials said, would be unaffected by the change, as they often met or exceeded the 140 credit benchmark already.

Board member Lisa Pollack, who had been on the BOE when the minimum was raised to 140, noted it was not a decision made lightly at that time. "We wanted it to be that rigorous," she said.

However, Superintendent of Schools Tom Ficarra said the standard was "creating an unfair situation.

"They would have received a diploma in most other schools, not in Morristown," he said. "It's not really increasing standards. We're making it impossible for some kids to graduate."

"I would not want to penalize kids," Pollack said. "It's a big decision. It just seems like a large philosophical shift."

Board member Terri Murphy noted that, despite the reduction in the minimum, students were still required to fulfill all subject requirements already in place.

Ann Rhines, , said the change would likely not affect many of the students who meet or exceed 140 credits, about 90 percent of graduating seniors. "So many would continue to do that," she said. "We were the only high school with 140. We were way out of line."

Alan Albin, the Morris Plains representative that attends Morris School District meetings, noted his childhood in New York and the multi-tiered system for graduating seniors he experienced. A basic diploma would require the state standard 120 credits, while those who go beyond the minimum would get a diploma noting that effort. Ficarra said it was something to look into further.

"You should not penalize students if they have met the state standards and core requirements," Albin said. "They're entitled to a New Jersey high school diploma."

While the reduction has been approved, the Board still plans on presenting a more detailed explanation of the change at their next meeting, on May 14.