District proposes stakeholder survey on diplomas and higher-credit ‘distinction’ option; board split on raising minimum credits

The Salt Lake City School District presented options Sept. 16 for how the district might recognize higher student achievement at graduation and whether to change the minimum credit requirement for a district diploma. Staff proposed three options: keep the current state minimum (24 credits); raise minimum requirements district-wide to 27 or 28 credits; or create an optional district "diploma of distinction" that would require more elective credits plus a GPA threshold.

Doctor Hall, a district administrator leading the item, walked the board through data showing many students already earn more than the state minimum: the district reported last-year figures in which at least 56% of seniors across the three comprehensive high schools earned 27 or more credits and that 43% of seniors graduated with more than 28 credits. "At Highland High School, more than…