Less Work to Graduate

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says

North Dakota high schools may require students to take more than 22

credits of course work to get a diploma.

The issue arose because of a bill the North Dakota Legislature

approved last year. It raised the minimum number of credits needed

to graduate from high school from 21 to 22, and established new

"merit" diplomas that require more work.

The new law says students need 22 credits to graduate. That

caused speculation among school superintendents and the Department

of Public Instruction that high schools couldn't require students

to take more hours.

In a legal opinion issued Thursday, Stenehjem says the law does

not prevent high schools from requiring more than 22 credits to

graduate.

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