1.   High school graduation standards must be stiffened.

2.   And public school officials have even begun to talk of a fifth year of high school as a way to help some students meet increasingly rigorous graduation standards.

3.   Both Bush and Clinton have patterned their proposals after a similar effort in Chicago, where students who fail to meet graduation standards are required to attend summer school.

4.   All four candidates lauded the higher high school graduation standards adopted recently by the Board of Regents.

5.   Bush and Clinton have patterned their proposals after a similar effort in Chicago, where students who fail to meet graduation standards are required to attend summer school.

6.   The board has raised graduation standards, instituted tests to ensure that those standards are met and told districts to close the achievement gap between rich and poor children.

7.   The New York Times editorial page has consistently supported a tougher curriculum and higher graduation standards.

8.   The regents have already established higher graduation standards for students, more rigorous tests and annual School Report Cards in an effort to improve academic performance.