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U-46 proposes graduation requirement changes to align with Illinois School Code; driver's ed to become PE credit
Summary
District leaders told the Board that U-46 will align high school math and science credits to Illinois School Code wording, require three years of high school math including algebra and geometry, two years of laboratory science, and make driver's education a credit-bearing semester of physical education beginning 2026–27.
District instructional leaders presented proposed updates July 21 to U-46 graduation requirements to align the district language with the Illinois School Code and to clarify course options for students.
Lola Mysorevich, deputy superintendent of instruction, said the district’s language will be revised so that for the class of 2030 the mathematics requirement is three years of high school math (grades 9–12) that include the completion of Algebra 1 and a course with geometry content or integrated equivalents. Mysorevich said the math department will present specific course proposals later this year, including options such as honors Algebra 1, a twilight geometry bridge course, honors geometry, algebra 2, and an intermediate algebra course aligned to ACT/SAT preparation.
On science, Mysorevich said the district’s requirement will change from "one year of biology and one year of physical science" to two years of laboratory science to match the state code language. The presentation recommended that students typically take biology in freshman year and chemistry or physical science in sophomore year.
The third change concerns physical education. Mysorevich said the district will continue to require seven semesters of physical education but will begin counting driver’s education as a credit-bearing course: beginning in the 2026–27 school year, students who take driver’s education will receive one semester of physical education credit.
Board members asked several clarifying questions. Board Member Shonda asked whether accelerated middle-school algebra and geometry credits still require students to take three years of math in grades 9–12; Mysorevich confirmed the three-year requirement remains in place. Board Member Dawn asked whether the intermediate algebra pathways limit subsequent course options and whether college-credit pathways with Elgin Community College remain available; staff confirmed that partnership courses such as "Transition to College Algebra" are intended to grant ECC credit when students earn a C or better.
A board member asked whether students who take driver’s education over the summer would receive physical education credit; staff replied that students would earn the semester of PE credit for driver’s education, but also noted that state enrollment rules require students to be enrolled in PE each semester of the school year while they are enrolled in high school.
The presentation was informational; no new graduation-policy resolution was adopted at the July 21 meeting.
