San Diego

Discussion began Tuesday on a sweeping proposal to revamp and tighten the secondary-school curriculum in the San Diego city schools. The Board of Education heard overall support from its top officials for the plan, which would require all secondary students by 1989 to begin taking classes in a core curriculum of English, math, science and social studies. The core plan would meet basic entrance requirements for college and give students greater options on what to do after graduation, supporters say. But the board was also warned that the cost of necessary teacher preparation and student counseling could run more than $1 million, which the board does not have. Debate will continue on the far-reaching plan at the next two Tuesday meetings.