MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The State Board of Education has unanimously voted to change the requirements for Alabama's high school diploma.

The board also passed an emergency rule amendment to allow seniors who have not passed all five sections of the high school exit exam to graduate this year.

The votes drew shouts and applause from the audience at the Thursday meeting where several parents spoke and told of their children's' struggle to pass some parts of the exam.

The changes would become mandatory for all school systems in the 2008-09 school year, but some could start on a voluntary basis this fall.

The biggest change automatically enrolls all students for the state's Advanced Diploma and gives parents the choice of opting their children out to get the Basic Diploma.

Currently all students get the Basic Diploma unless they sign up for the advanced track.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)