When the state of Georgia did away with the general high school diploma three years ago, school districts including Fayette County's were faced with navigating students through a confusing maze of new requirements.

Ninth graders now must elect to pursue one of two programs of study — an academic program for college preparation, or technical career preparation for a job upon graduation or continuing education in a specific field.

“In 1998, we put together a group to look at this,” Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County school superintendent, said during a roundtable discussion Thursday night. Options such as block scheduling and alternative flexible scheduling were considered. “We looked at creative ways for students to take electives,” DeCotis explained.

The new system had a significant impact on time formerly available to students who wished to take band, for example, and still acquire enough units for a college prep diploma, according to DeCotis.

What has emerged is a four-track system that determines the course requirements students must have to graduate and be considered for admission to a two-year or four-year college, university or technical school.

During Thursday's roundtable, parents and educators took a closer look at the current state requirements and local requirements for graduation. The session is one in a series conducted by DeCotis and school district staff.

One district-mandated requirement for high school graduation in Fayette is a half unit of speech, drama or debate. “There is a strong rationale for having oral communication,” Stuart Bennett, assistant superintendent for instruction, told the group. While there have been pro and con discussions on why the requirement is needed, Bennett said students must develop an ability to speak and present.

Fayette County is the only district in the state to maintain this requirement and its status may change as the pressure mounts for students to meet all their necessary classes.

A total of 22 units of study are required for students to graduate from high school. An additional two units are required for a “college plus” or “tech plus” diploma.

One way the district will opt to offer extra classes to students who may have gotten off track, or for electives, is through an on-line course of study. Bennett said the program will be offered initially to 50 students and should be ready to start within 30 days. The provider is Virtual Learning Academy, which offers 600 courses on the computer.

While students and teachers continue to balance time and requirements, Bennett indicated the state is already talking about changing the current slate of requirements back to a single diploma. “We're going through cycles of change. Students entering the middle grades could be facing a different set of graduation requirements,” he said.

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