TX ed board tentatively OKs electives

AUSTIN (AP) - State Board of Education members tentatively agreed to increase the number of electives in two of the state's three high school graduation plans.

The move at this week's meeting would eliminate required courses in health, computer technology and physical education.

The requirements were eliminated by the 2009 Legislature for students in the "recommended" plan, the most common course of study for high school students.

Districts would have the option to keep any of the three courses as a local requirement.

Board members also agreed to keep a semester of communications-speech as a requirement for all students, but will look at other related courses that could be substituted.

The board will vote on the changes in November. Students will still need two semesters of physical education to graduate.