The board is expected to give its final nod to a proposal that increases course requirements in English, science and math, and to approve a list of classes that will satisfy those requirements. The vote will end a public comment period on school curriculum.

The proposal would increase requirements for language arts from three to four; math from two to three and science from two to three. As in the past, districts would be allowed to require additional classes.

Teresa Theurer, chairwoman of the state board's curriculum committee, said support for strengthening graduation requirements has come from the governor's office, Board of Regents and Utah business leaders, but the plan has many dissenters.

The changes could alter the make-up of school faculties, which might require fewer teachers for electives and more for core classes. Arts and sports advocates worry that those programs could suffer. And, the large numbers of students enrolled in religious instruction during the school day through Utah's released-time program pose another concern.

The majority of students who opt for released time take seminary classes offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Theurer said church representatives assured the board the LDS church would not oppose curriculum changes, and offered to provide more seminary classes outside of school hours if needed.

But seminary classes during the school day help keep jam-packed classrooms from being even more crowded. If large numbers of students switch to early-morning or after-school seminary, Utah's class sizes - already the nation's largest - could increase.

Students who forgo work-study programs to earn more core credits could augment class sizes even more, said Brett Moulding, curriculum director for the Utah State Office of Education.

"We don't know how this will all play out," he said.

Theurer said many students already take more core classes than required. She doesn't anticipate dramatic changes. "We can't assume this will change every student's choices in high school," she said.

In increasing the number of core classes required for graduation, the board plans to broaden the types of core classes that will count toward graduation. For instance, business communications could fill an English credit; computer programming would be accepted as a math credit; and a science credit could be filled by a wildlife management class.

A committee of lawmakers, educators and community members developed the course list, which Theurer calls a "living document." Districts can request approval for additional courses as they develop.

"We hope this list helps lead [districts], and helps them consider other courses that should go on the list," she said.

cbaker@sltrib.com

Approved courses

See the list of approved courses satisfying new requirements for high school graduation on The Tribune Web site at http://www.sltrib.com.

See the agenda for Friday's meeting of the Utah State Board of Education at http://www.schools.utah.gov/

board/agenda1.htm.

Live video of the meeting will be broadcast over the Internet beginning Friday at 10:30 a.m. Tune in at http://

www.schools.utah.gov/

admin/projects/live.htm.