District 87 considers easing path to graduation for students new to the U.S.

BLOOMINGTON ( 25News Now ) - District 87 is in discussion with the board to consider an alternative graduation path for Bloomington High School students who are new to the U.S.

Students are considered “newcomers” if they enter the country for the first time at 15 years old or older. They would graduate on that state’s levels of 16 credits, vs. the 23.5 credits Bloomington High School now requires.

Illinois requires four years of english, three years of math, two years of social studies and science, and an elective credit.

“I think what’s important here is that it creates an opportunity of choice, right? So it will provide students the opportunity to continue in school for the 23.5 credits that Bloomington currently requires, or to reduce the number of credits and allow them to graduat