ALBANY — More requirements for math as early as kindergarten and teaching a greater understanding of literature are among new standards for New York’s public schools to be in place by the 2011-12 school year.

The state Board of Regents on Tuesday approved changes in the statewide curriculum and testing to enforce the requirements, which include the higher standard for math in kindergarten and first grade.

Another will require students to be taught how to better interpret literature from a wide variety of genres and a spectrum of cultures.