1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; including agriculture education option in social studies 
1.3 	graduation requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120B.024.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120B.024, is amended to read:
1.6 	120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.
1.7 	(a) Students beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year and later must 
1.8 	successfully complete the following high school level course credits for graduation:
1.9 	(1) four credits of language arts;
1.10 	(2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics, 
1.11 	and probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard;
1.12 	(3) three credits of science, including at least one credit in biology;
1.13 	(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United 
1.14 	States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics or 
1.15 	three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history, geography, 
1.16 	government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in 
1.17 	a school's social studies, agriculture education, or business department;
1.18 	(5) one credit in the arts; and
1.19 	(6) a minimum of seven elective course credits.
1.20 	A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic 
1.21 	year of study or a student mastering the applicable subject matter, as determined by the 
1.22 	local school district.
1.23 	(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a science credit requirement under 
1.24 	this section.