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.

Students could choose from a list of accepted courses to meet the new rules, including journalism and business communication, accounting, computer programming, biotechnology and wildlife management.

The board discussed the matter Thursday; mostly, in fine-tuning a resolution and formal rule, which has the effect of law on school operations.

"This really has been difficult," state associate superintendent Myron Cottam told the board. A committee worked out ramifications of the change and an approved course list, and "we've had some knock down, drag-outs . . . but I think it has come together."

The additional requirements are backed by the Governor's Office of Economic Development Board, and responds to legislative threats to require four years of each of the three subjects.

It also would lift state-mandated courses from 15 to 18 credits and drop the minimum electives allowed from nine to six.

Utah now requires less of students than other states and is below national averages in all but social studies and P.E. requirements, the Education Commission of the States reports.

The state school board for years has pondered a boost, but continually backed off amid community fears over cut electives and arts. Those concerns remain.

The 150-student Panguitch High School in Garfield, for instance, cut its music program when the graduation requirements rose there.

"Parents here were very disappointed," Garfield Superintendent George Park said. "We're looking for creative ways . . . of getting our students to have the opportunity to do music," including offering a strings program as an extracurricular club. "We wish we could do more right within the regular high school system, but we have due constraints; we have limited staff."

It's tough to say whether a 2,000-student urban high school would share Panguitch High's experience, said Brett Moulding, who oversees curriculum and graduation requirements for the State Office of Education. Too many factors are at play.

For instance, state associate superintendent Cottam, former Garfield superintendent, said an eight-period block schedule gives students more room for electives.

Park says even with sacrifice, the move is worth it.

"Moving in the direction of requiring more math and science and English is the right thing to do, absolutely," he said, adding the change did not affect graduation rates as once feared. "We need to do the best job we possibly can to prepare our students for competitive positions in a global economy."

It's a statement most educators can agree with. But Mariotti wonders if increased graduation requirements — which is, in a way, more seat time, though the state wants to award competency-based credits — is the way to do it.

"I don't think we have any trouble (with increasing graduation requirements); we had contemplated in Granite District increasing the math requirement," Mariotti said. "I want a rigorous experience for all our kids . . . but I'm not sure what approach is going to get it there."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com