L.A. Raises Standards

High school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be required to complete a college-preparatory curriculum to graduate, the school board decided in a 6-1 vote last week. Starting with the class of 2012, students will have to complete the 15 courses required for admission to the University of California or California State University system. Students can request a waiver, however, in 10th grade. The requirements become mandatory for most students—with no waivers—for the class of 2014.