THE listed requirements for graduating from high school in California are reasonably straightforward. There's no fuzzy language. There's no small print. There's nothing parents need to figure out.

Of course, individual students whose choice of classes may not fit the mold may have a few questions, but this type of situation has been planned for in advance as students are provided guidance counselors when they enter high school.

Students and their parents are advised of the necessity to pass the California High School Exit Examination with a mathematics score of at least 350. The English-Language Arts passing score is also 350.

Then there's the required number of units to be completed, and in Pasadena Unified School District that's 220. Equally important on the list are the required classes, which include the math, science and history kind of basics.

But when that high school senior year comes around parents are barraged with a few new suggestions on the high school exit plan that have no real classification other than molestation of the already over-extended household budget.

The necessary items for exiting high school are based, thank goodness, on academic achievement and not on coins in the pocketbook. But the notifications for spending money have no disclaimer in bold type that says, "Not A Requirement for Graduation."

First comes a senior picture. And this expense gets socked to parents just before school convenes in September. It's an early one because the students must have their shots ready for the over-priced high school yearbook and that will cost anywhere from $90 up.

Pictures run from $50, and, well, depending on how delighted the family becomes with the proofs when mailed out to them, this first of the senior year expense can climb into the many hundreds of dollars.

The initial expenditure gets one pose for the yearbook. OK. But now add another $35 and the graduating senior gets two more poses including one in a cap and gown,

Beyond the shot for the yearbook, we're talking pictures that get ordered for friends and relatives.

And in the months ahead parents will bring out the credit card to cover a host of other major expenses including prom, grad night and graduation announcements.

Ouch! Aren't we experiencing job lay-offs, increased prices at the pump, escalating prices in the grocery store and home foreclosures?

Neither Auntie Zariaha in Florida nor cousin Butch in San Diego really want those expensive pictures parents mail to whatever the relative's name is in whatever city they live in.

Parents can really do themselves, their kids, their budget and their mailing list a big favor by starting off this high school senior year by showing up at the photo session only to order the one shot to be placed in the class of 2009 yearbook.

Harsh? That's what reality is. Speaking of reality, the state requirements for high school graduation only list passing the state exam, completing required courses and the required number of units. Professional photographs do not appear on the list.