This bill mandates the South Dakota Board of Education Standards to amend the existing regulations regarding high school graduation requirements by September 30, 2026. The amendments include changes to the number of credits required for graduation, specifying that students must earn a minimum number of credits in various subjects such as language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science. Notably, the bill introduces provisions for students to earn credits through participation in extracurricular activities, including fine arts and physical education, with specific guidelines on how these activities must align with state standards.

Additionally, the bill allows students to earn up to one-half credit in physical education for participation in school-sanctioned extracurricular varsity athletic activities, with a maximum of one-fourth credit for each activity per school year. The school district is required to document the alignment of these activities with the physical education standards. The bill also streamlines the process for earning academic core content credit through approved career and technical education courses, requiring a course syllabus and teacher certification as part of the application process for credit approval.