Members of the Cherokee County Board of Education heard a presentation during their Tuesday meeting regarding proposed handbook curriculum changes for the upcoming school year.

Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator Dewayne Pierce highlighted some of the changes.

One change is a requirement for 1st graders to pass both reading and math in order to be promoted to the 2nd grade.

In the past, they only had to pass reading

There is also a change for high school students.

The number of units required for graduation is going from 27 to 28 to reflect the new scheduling.

Another change deals with class rankings and honor status.

Students who are working toward a diploma with an advanced endorsement with an average of 85 or higher will receive first priority in class ranking.

Also Tuesday, Dr. Trina Wood highlighted changes in other areas of the handbook.

The school system can no longer require a student’s Social Security Card be presented at time of enrollment.

The state is also requiring Code Red Drills to prepare for emergency situations such as an intruder on campus or other major incident.

Dr. Wood says input from the School Advisory Councils helped to formulate the handbook, which is expected to be approved during the board’s July 9th meeting.