Madison School District proposes reducing credits seniors need to graduate, waiving civics exam

Logan Wroge:

With the new coronavirus pandemic disrupting the school year, Madison seniors in the class of 2020 may be able to graduate with fewer credits and might not have to take a civics exam required to get a high school diploma.

Madison School District staff briefed the School Board on Monday about a proposal to loosen credit requirements for graduation as the statewide closure of schools aimed at stemming the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has forced the district to switch to virtual learning for the foreseeable future.

The district is proposing reducing the number of credits needed to graduate — just for current 12th grade students — from a 22-credit threshold set by the district to a state-required minimum of 15 credits.

“The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”