High school seniors in the Waukesha School District will no longer be required to take the English 12 literature course but will need to select one of two writing-based course. The required course selection goes into effect for the 2011-12 school year.

“The literature course is not gone,” said William Baumgart, a school board member. “It is just moving off the required list.”

The two courses that are being offered are college and career composition and writing for publication.

Research examined by the school district shows that 27 percent of high school graduates lack in math and writing skills, according to a school district document.

“Our students can graduate without having a course with a primary writing curriculum focus,” the document states about the district’s current graduation requirements.