Ohio high school students entering their freshman year this fall will face tougher math requirements as part of a growing effort by Ohio and other states to better prepare students for college and careers in the global economy.

A story from the AP says, Ohio will require the incoming freshmen to complete four units of math for graduation, compared to the three now required. Another new requirement for graduation is that one of those four units must be Algebra II.

"With Algebra II, students will get a stronger background in math going into college, and career-wise _ with technology growing at such a fast pace _ there is a demand for students to know more math," Scott Blake, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Education, said Monday.

But even Algebra I can prove to be a major hurdle for many students. A 2006 study at Florida International University found that students who fail Algebra I are four times more likely to drop out of high school than those who passed.

At least five states currently require four units, while at least 12 states, including Ohio, require four units of math with future graduating classes, according to the Education Commission of the States.