The Utah Board of Education is expected today to officially raise high school graduation requirements in language arts, math and science — the effects of which will range from nothing to potentially millions of dollars for taxpayers or fewer electives for students, depending on where you live.

The board proposes adding another year's worth of language arts, math and science to high school students' schedules. That means the Class of 2011 and beyond would need four credits of language arts and three each of math and science to graduate. Students still would have to demonstrate competency in at least geometry or applied math II; strugglers could take up to two years to finish those courses.

A handful of school districts as of 2002 had already raised the requirements to the state-proposed level, according to State Board of Education data. They include Carbon, Daggett, Garfield, Kane, Tintic, Park City and South Summit; more conceivably could have come on board since. Electives in those districts ranged from five to 10 credits.

The additional requirements didn't much affect a couple of Garfield County families interviewed.

"It didn't seem like it fazed her," Panguitch High parent Beth Orton said of her daughter, who graduated last spring. "I honestly think it's better . . . they need to get the standards up so (high school graduates) can function in society."

Other districts, including Ogden, Davis, Jordan and Granite, require four credits of language arts to graduate; Granite requires an extra year of social studies, and Ogden requires students earn two credits in math but spend all four years in a math class of some sort, essentially giving students who need extra help two years to complete a single credit.

But Granite and Davis say the boost in math and science will affect their students — about 130,000 combined.

"I think it begins limiting for kids their options for their electives in areas of CTE (career and technology education) and fine arts. We're going to have the issue of released time," or students in LDS seminary having even fewer chances for electives, said Linda Mariotti, Granite District's assistant superintendent over instructional services.

Davis Superintendent Bryan Bowles also worries about finding math and science teachers amid a teacher shortage, and whether taxpayers will have to pay to retrofit or add science classrooms to high schools for additional courses needing lab space and special equipment. While two-thirds of Davis students take at least three math and science credits, the other third will need classrooms.

"Right now, all our science classrooms are busy all day long," Bowles said.

The State Office of Education expects some costs. It recommends the state school board seek an extra $15 million a year to help students meet the requirements. A board resolution also aims to secure money to recruit math and science teachers, add school counselors and prevent classes from growing too big.