Soon South Dakota high school students will need to take more rigorous math and science courses to earn a diploma. The Board of Education just approved new graduation requirements that will affect all students in the state.

As a senior at Sioux Falls Lincoln, Lena Tran knows exactly what she needs to graduate in order to get into the college she wants.

"Two years of foreign language, four years science, four years math, four years social studies," Tran said.

She's on what's now called the "advanced pathway" to graduation. There's also the "standard pathway" and the "distinguished pathway," which is the most rigorous. But South Dakota lawmakers are doing away with that system starting next school year. The Board of Education met Monday to figure out where to go next.

"The legislature mandated that last session, and the Board of Education had to follow up. We have one pathway; what will it look like?" Lincoln principal Valerie Fox said.

Beginning in the fall, all South Dakota students will take three units of math: specifically Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry. Three units of science are also required: Biology, Physical Science and either Chemistry or Physics. And for any student who feels like they can't complete the courses, Fox says they can get a waiver and opt out of the course of study.

"Particularly in their junior year, they might be able to see that, 'OK, this isn't going to work for me.'  With their parents and counselor, they do that jointly, they sign off on a waiver to have another option," Fox said.

Even though Tran will graduate before the new requirements take effect, she thinks they're a good thing for South Dakota students, especially those looking to go to college.

"Every state has different requirements, so for South Dakota to push it up a notch, it's good for students to have that challenge to do above what they can," Tran said.

The Board of Education also decided to keep the physical education requirement the same, one half unit of P.E., and extra-curricular activities don't count. Students will still have to complete a full unit of fine arts, and extra-curriculars do count for that requirement.