ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996                TAG: 9608230096
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-2  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: DUMFRIES
SOURCE: Associated Press 

READING, WRITING AND EMILY POST?

A mastery of reading, writing and arithmetic may no longer be enough to earn a diploma from Potomac High School. Now, students may need to prove they're well-mannered young citizens to graduate.

School officials are asking the state Board of Education for permission to require students to earn one ``citizenship'' credit each semester beginning this fall. Students would earn the required credits by being prompt to class and respectful of teachers.

Potomac would be the only public high school in Virginia to make the behavior standards a requirement of graduation, officials said.

The proposal already has the blessing of the Prince William County School Board. It must also be approved by the state board, which is expected to discuss it in September.

School officials said the policy will help teachers teach responsibility.

Kris Pedersen, the county's associate superintendent, said, ``The way things stand now, a student could wind up being on the honor roll and be unsatisfactory in his citizenship or conduct.''

Opponents of the plan, including at least one member of the state board, say schools should award diplomas based on academic achievement and allow existing disciplinary measures to deal with behavior problems.

Michelle Easton, president of the state Board of Education, said she believes a majority of her colleagues on the board will oppose the plan.

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