Next year, it will be a little harder for seniors to graduate in Alabama.

"I'm an education major myself at the University of Alabama so anything to help the state in its rankings would be just perfect," says Cory Nash.

Now students will need two years of foreign language, an extra year of college prep math, and they also have to pass all five sections of the graduation exam..

"Hardly anybody I've ever talked to has said anything that they're really worried about it. So it's going to be a good thing," says McAdory freshman Zac Gallodoro.

But for those who can't pass all five there is hope in the form of a credit-based diploma.

"Where they only have to pass three sections of the high school grad exam after successfully completing their course work," says Dr. Jerry Mitchell, Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services for Jefferson County Schools.

"Those kids who are frustrated because they've not done well on the standardized test now have an option of getting that diploma where in the past they did not have that option available to them."

According to the Southern Education Foundation, the state's biggest educational problem is its high school dropout rate of 40%overall. 34% in Jefferson County.. 30% in Shelby.. and almost 50% in Tuscaloosa County.

An emergency-rule would give low scoring seniors in the class of 2008 the chance to graduate this year with that credit-based diploma. Mitchell says Jefferson County may take that issue up in an called meeting next week.

"Several of those students were talked to today by their principals or by their counselors, and I've already heard there are some excited students and parents out there."

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