HONOLULU -- Hawaii education officials launched a new program Wednesday called Step Up with a new diploma that aims to increase the curriculum requirements of graduating high school students.

The program partners the Department of Education with the University of Hawaii and private businesses.

High school students would have to chose to take more math and science classes. The new "Step Up" diploma for students graduating in 2013 and beyond in the public school system will have to take four years of math, three credits of science including two laboratory classes and a half credit in expository writing.

The basic diploma requires three years of math (including algebra, algebra II and geometry) and three credits of science, but no laboratory classes and no expository writing.

"As these students 'step up' to the challenge of earning the BOE Step Up Diploma, it shows their commitment to using their high school years to prepare themselves for more choices in life whether they decide to work, join a training or apprenticeship program or enroll in college after high school," Hawaii P-20 Executive Director Tammi Chun said. "This movement is required now more than ever, with recent statistics citing Hawaii's need to encourage students to pursue a more rigorous high school course of study to better prepare them for success in career or college."

The goal of the program is to get at least 75 percent of incoming freshman to sign up for the more rigorous graduation path. Education officials hope to sign up 100 local businesses and community organizations as Step Up supporters by this December.

"For those businesses that question, 'What's in it for me?' I say this -- You will spend less money and time finding qualified workers and training them, and you will be more likely to hire local employees who understand island culture and are committed to improving the social and economic status of the state. The students you are encouraging today to sign up for a more challenging and rigorous education could be working for you, or helping run your company, in just a few years," Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi said.

The carpenter and drywall apprenticeship program waived its math test requirement for their apprenticeship programs to students who graduate with the BOE Step Up diploma. City Mill has also waived the pre-employment math.

Local companies and community groups can get involved by visiting www.stepuphawaii.org.