Tougher Graduation Requirements Rebuffed in Oklahoma

By Andrew Trotter

The House education committee of the Oklahoma legislature once again has swatted down Gov. Frank Keating's "4 x 4" plan for increasing the rigor of earning a high school diploma.

The "4 x 4" concept, which the second-term Republican has championed since he took office in 1995, would require high school students to take four years each of English, science, mathematics, and social studies in order to graduate. Oklahoma now requires four years of English, three of science, two of math, and two of social studies.

But, undeterred after five years of rejection by key Democratic legislators, Mr. Keating is trying harder than ever to get his plan passed this...