Proposed changes to graduation requirements would reduce the number of credits needed to receive a diploma from Northampton Area High School.

NAHS Principal Stephen Seier and Assistant Principal Robert Steckel recommend reducing the number from 26 to 24 in part because the new Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) "required remediation from Keystone Exams places added strain on current resources."

The item is expected to be on the agenda for the 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 school board meeting.

Seier and Steckel, in their 40-minute PowerPoint presentation Nov. 11 to the school board, said the change would add benefits as part of a modification of the high school schedule and studies program.

"We are not reducing our standards," NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik said. "What we're trying to do is not so much emphasize the quantity as the quality."

Each year, the results of Keystone Exams, given in spring, are not expected to be available until August. "We won't quite know how many students will need remediation," Kovalchik said.

"We're required by law to remediate students. In order to do that, you need time in your schedule, you need staff and you need resources," he said

Among other items at issue with the NASD class schedule is that there is no room for error in earning four credits in four core areas with summer school the only option.

"Students who fail a course must take summer school," Seier said.

Vocational-technical and alternate placement students have difficulty obtaining required credits. And elective courses have been eliminated because of PDE requirements. Finally, they said, there is limited flexibility in course selection to pursue career goals.

"We are trying to keep up with the requirements of PDE, but allowing flexibility for students," Kovalchik said.

The 26 credits required for graduation now include four credits each in English, social studies, mathematics and science; one credit in technology, two credits in arts-humanities, a half credit in health, one credit in physical education and 5.5 credits in electives.

Proposed changes would be transitioned.

For the Classes of 2015 and 2016, the 25 credits required for graduation would include four credits in English, three credits in social studies, math and science, two credits in additional core class, two credits in arts-humanities, one credit in technology, a half credit in health, one credit in physical education and 5.5 credits of electives.

Three focuses will be established for the Class of 2017 and beyond – career and technical, traditional academic and honors and advanced.

For the Class of 2017 and beyond, the 24 credits required for graduation in the career and technical focus would include four credits in English, three credits each in social studies, math and science, seven credits in vocational technical shops, one credit each in technology, arts-humanities and electives and a half credit each in health and physical education.

For the Class of 2017 and beyond, the 24 credits required for graduation in the traditional academic focus would include four credits in English, three credits each in social studies, math and science plus one additional in math, science or social studies, one credit each in technology and physical education, two credits in arts-humanities, a half credit in health and 5.5 credits of electives.

For the Class of 2017 and beyond, the 24 credits required for graduation in the honors and advanced focus would include four credits in English, three credits each in world languages, social studies, mathematics and science plus two additional in math, science and social studies, one credit each in technology, arts-humanities and physical education, a half credit in health, and 2.5 credits of electives.

Those in the Classes of 2015 and 2016 also must pass the graduation project, a PDE standard being phased out in 2017.

For the Class of 2017 and beyond, students must attain proficiency on Keystone Exams or completion of the project-based assessment.

Members of the Class of 2017 in the honors and advanced focus must take a minimum of three Advanced placement or college courses, a minimum 12 additional honors and or advanced placement courses, and advanced on at least one Keystone Exam.

Some changes also will be made to the schedule of classes.

A morning period before the start of the first period will be added from 6:37-7:20 a.m., and an afternoon period, from 2:32 -3:24 p.m., will follow the last class period.

The purpose of the "early bird" and "afternoon" classes is to allow time for flexibility and credit recovery. These classes would run only if a minimum of 22 students are enrolled.

Board Vice President Jane Erdo, who lives in Moore Township, raised a concern about transportation to and from the early and late classes for those who live in outlying areas.

A "Konkrete Block," 10:39-11:20 a.m., would serve as lunch period for freshmen.

Those in 10th- to 12th-grade would have a flex period for remediation, peer tutoring, music lessons, activities and clubs.

It would also allow teachers time for preparation and meetings.