Policy 3460
From Board Policies
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Policy Code: 3460
The Board recognizes the importance of setting rigorous graduation requirements in order to help ensure that students are receiving an education that will prepare them to be productive members of society. All students will be encouraged and supported to work toward satisfying the requirements for graduation within four years of entering 9th grade.
The principal is responsible for ensuring that parents and students are aware of all graduation requirements. The guidance program should assist students in planning their high school courses to help ensure that students are taking all of the required units and selecting electives consistent with their post-graduate plans. For students who have transferred to the school district during high school, or who for other reasons have completed course work outside of the school district, the principal will determine what course work will be applied as credit for graduation.
Students entering grade 9 for the first time through 2008-09 school year will fulfill the requirements under A: Course Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9 for the First Time Through 2008-2009 School Year.
Students entering grade 9 for the first time in 2009-2010 and subsequent years will fulfill the requirements under B: Course Units Required for Students Entering 9th Grade for the First Time in the 2009-2010 School Year and Subsequent Years
A. Course Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9 for the First Time Through 2008-2009 School Year
All students must meet the following course requirements for the specific course of study chosen by the student.
1. Career Prep Course of Study
| Courses Required | State Requirements |
Requirements |
| English | 4 (including English I, II, III, and IV) | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 (including Algebra I) | 3 |
| Science | 3 (including a physical science course, biology, and earth/environmental science) | 3 |
| Social Studies | 3 (including Civics & Economics, U.S. History and world history) | 3 |
| Health/PE | 1 | 1 |
| Career/Technical | 4 (courses appropriate for career pathway including a second level (advanced) or courses for an arts education pathway or courses for R.O.T.C.) | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 0 | 0 |
| Computer Skills/Technology | Proficiency on state computer test | |
| Electives | 2 (arts recommended but not required) | 10 |
| Other Requirements | ||
| Total Credits | 20 | 28 |
2. College Tech Prep Course of Study Credits Required
| Courses Required | State Requirement | Local Requirements |
| English | 4 (including English I, II, III, and IV) | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 (including either Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II; Algebra I and Technical Math I & II; or Integrated Mathematics I, II, III) | 3 |
| Science | 3 (including a physical science course, biology, and earth/environmental science) | 3 |
| Social Studies | 3 (including Civics & Economics, U.S. History and world history) | 3 |
| Health/P.E. | 1 | 1 |
| Career/Technical | 4 (courses appropriate for career pathway including a second level (advanced) course) | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 0 | 0 |
| Computer Skills/Technology | Proficiency on state computer test | |
| Electives | 2 (arts recommended but not required) | 10 |
| Other Requirements | ||
| Total Credits | 20 | 28 |
- A student pursuing this course of study may meet the requirements of a College/University Prep course of study by completing 2 credits in the same foreign language and one additional unit of math for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.
3. College/University Prep Course of Study Credits Required
| Courses Required | State Requirements | Local Requirements |
| English | 4 (including English I, II, III, and IV) | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 (including either Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and a higher course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite; or Integrated Mathematics I, II, III and one course beyond Integrated Math III) | 4 |
| Science | 3 (including a physical science, biology, and earth/environmental science) | 3 |
| Social Studies | 3 (including Civics & Economics, U.S. History and world history) | 3 |
| Health/P.E. | 1 | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 2 (in the same language) | 2 |
| Computer Skills/Technology | Proficiency on state computer test | |
| Electives | 3 (arts recommended but not required) | 11 |
| Other Requirements | ||
| Total | 20 | 28 |
4. Occupational Course of Study Credits Required (only available for eligible students with disabilities who have an IEP)
| Courses Required | State Requirements | Local Requirements |
| English | 4 (including Occupational English I, II, III, and IV) | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 (including Occupational Mathematics I, II, III) | 3 |
| Science | 2 (including Life Skills Science I, II) | 2 |
| Social Studies | 2 (including government/U.S. History and self-advocacy/problem solving) | 2 |
| Health/P.E. | 1 | 1 |
| Career/Technical | 4 (vocational education electives) | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 0 | |
| Occupational Preparation | 6 (including Occupational Preparation I, II, III and IV, which requires 300 hours of school-based training, 240 hours of community-based training and 360 hours of paid employment) | 6 |
| Computer Skills/Technology | Computer proficiency as specified in IEP | |
| Electives | 0 | 6 |
| Other Requirements | Completion of IEP objectives; Career Portfolio required; | |
| Total | 22 | 28 |
B. Course Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9 for the First Time in the 2009-2010 School Year and Subsequent Years
Effective with the class entering ninth grade for the first time in the 2009-2010 school year, students will be required to complete the North Carolina Future-Ready Core Curriculum, and other requirements as may be required by the board of education. Eligible students may earn a diploma through the Occupational Course of Study.
C. Differentiated Graduation Requirements
In keeping with Chatham County School Board Policy 3110 (Innovation in Curriculum and Instruction) the Board of Education approves the following alternative path to graduation. Students approved for this course of study must be enrolled in the high school program of the school district’s alternative school program.
| Courses Required | State Requirements | Local Requirements | For Students Entering 9th grade 2008-09 only |
| English | 4 (English I,II,III,IV) | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 (Algebra I, Geometry, two additional math courses) | 4 | 3 (see College Prep and College Tech Prep) |
| Social Studies | 3 (World History, Civics and Economics, US History) | 3 | 3 |
| Science | 3 (Earth/Environmental, Biology, Physical science | 3 | 3 |
| Health/PE | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Computer Skills/Technology | Proficiency on state computer test | Proficiency on state computer test | Proficiency on state computer
test |
| Electives | 6 (Two electives must be any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education or Second Language) | 6 (4 course concentration in CTE is recommended) | 7 (4 course concentration in
CTE is recommended) |
| Other requirements | |||
| Total | 21 | 21 | 21 |
D. Additional Local Requirements
The Board also may require that students successfully complete additional graduation requirements. Students will be notified of any requirement no later than the beginning of their junior year.
E. Special Circumstances
The Board adopts the following policies to address special circumstances regarding graduation:
- Honor Graduates
Honor graduates may be designated by the principals on the basis of criteria established by the superintendent. Students who complete the requirements of the North Carolina Academic Scholars Program will receive recognition including a seal affixed to his or her diploma. Recognition of honor graduates may be included in graduation programs.
- Early Graduation
Graduation prior to that of one’s class is permitted and encouraged when students successfully complete all state board and local board requirements and upon recommendation by the principal and superintendent.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -81, -174.11, -276, -288; 16 NCAC 6D .0103, 16 NCAC 6D .0502, State Board of Education Policy GCS-L- 001;16 NCAC 6D .0503, State Board of Education Policy GCS-L-004
Cross References: Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Student Promotion and Accountability (policy 3420)
Issued:
Revised: July 15, 2005; August 1, 2007, November 26, 2007, May 11, 2009, January 14, 2011, June 6, 2011