| Table 151. | State requirements for high school graduation, in Carnegie units: 1980 and 1993 |
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|1980 | 1993 | First |
|_____|____________________________________________________________________________________| gradua- |
| | | Subject areas | ting |
| | |______________________________________________________________________________|class to |
State | All | All |English/| | | | Physi- | | |which the| Notes
|cour-|cour-| lan- |Social|Mathe-|Sci- |cal edu-|Elec-| Other courses |require- |
| ses | ses | guage |stud- |matics|ence |cation/ |tives| | ments |
| | | arts | ies | | | health | | | apply |
____________________________|_____|_____|________|______|______|_____|________|_____|__________________________________|_________|___________________________________________________
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
____________________________|_____|_____|________|______|______|_____|________|_____|__________________________________|_________|___________________________________________________
Alabama | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 20 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 9.5 | | 1989 |Must become computer literate through related
| | | | | | | | | | | coursework. Minimum competency test is
| | | | | | | | | | | required for graduation.
Advanced .................| --- | 22 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 4 |2 foreign languages, .5 home/ | |
| | | | | | | | | personal management | |
Alaska .....................| 19 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | | --- |
Arizona ....................| 16 | 20 | 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | --- | 9 |.5 free enterprise | 1991 |Minimum competency test is required for graduation.
Arkansas ...................| 16 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6.5 |.5 fine arts | 1988 | Social studies options: 2 or 3 units social
| | | | | | | | | | | studies and 1 practical arts.
California | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................|(\1\)| 13 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | --- |1 fine arts or foreign language | --- |The state board has published "Model Graduation
| | | | | | | | | | | Requirements" to be used as a guide by local
| | | | | | | | | | | districts. These include specifics in core
| | | | | | | | | | | subjects plus computer studies and foreign
| | | | | | | | | | | language. Test and cut-off standards for early
| | | | | | | | | | | exit, with parental approval. Minimum compe-
| | | | | | | | | | | tency test is required for graduation. State has
| | | | | | | | | | |suggested model of curriculum to guide local distri
Advanced .................| --- | 16 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | --- |2 in same foreign language, 1 fine| --- |advising students on requirements for college entry
| | | | | | | | | arts | |
Colorado ...................| --- |(\2\)| (\2\) |(\2\) |(\2\) |(\2\)| (\2\) |(\2\)| | --- |State has constitutional prohibition against
| | | | | | | | | | | state requirements. School accreditation
| | | | | | | | | | | requirements total 30 units covering
| | | | | | | | | | | language arts, social studies, science, math,
| | | | | | | | | | | foreign language, fine/vocational/practical arts,
| | | | | | | | | | | health/safety, and physical education.
Connecticut ................|(\2\)| 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |1 arts or vocational education | 1988 |
Delaware ...................| 18 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 6.5 | | 1987 |Minimum competency test is required for
| | | | | | | | | | | graduation.
District of | | | | | | | | | | |
Columbia .................| 18 |23.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 3.5 |2 foreign languages; 1 life | 1996 |Electives must include life skills seminar or
| | | | | | | | | skills; 1 career/vocational; | | passage of a test. D.C. requires 100 hours of
| | | | | | | | | .5 fine arts; .5 music | | community service without credit.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Florida | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................|(\2\)| 24 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0.5 | 9 |.5 practical/exploratory voca- | 1989 |2 of science units must include labs. Students
| | | | | | | | | tional education; .5 performing | | must have 1.5 GPA to graduate. Junior and senior
| | | | | | | | | arts or speech & debate; .5 | | students may receive dual credits for college
| | | | | | | | | life management skills | | coursework. Vocational students may substitute
| | | | | | | | | | | certain vocational courses to satisfy up to 2
| | | | | | | | | | | required credits in each of the areas of English,
| | | | | | | | | | | math, and science. Minimum competency test
| | | | | | | | | | | is required for graduation.
Academic | | | | | | | | | | |
scholars ...............| --- | 26 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 7 |2 of same foreign language; 1 | --- |
| | | | | | | | | fine arts | |
Georgia | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 20 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 6 |1 computer technology and/or fine | 1997 |Students who completed 4 units of vocational
| | | | | | | | | arts and/or vocational education| | education receive a state seal of endorsement
| | | | | | | | | and/or junior ROTC | | from the State Board of Education. Algebra is
| | | | | | | | | | | required. Minimum competency is required for
| | | | | | | | | | | graduation.
Advanced .................| --- | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |2 foreign languages; 1 fine arts, | 1988 |
| | | | | | | | | vocational education, computer | |
| | | | | | | | | technology, or ROTC | |
Hawaii .....................| 20 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 6 |.5 guidance | 1997 |
Idaho ......................| 18 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 6 |.5 each: reading, speech, and | 1989 |Practical arts may substitute for 1 unit of
| | | | | | | | | consumer education; 2 humanities| | humanities. State requires a C average,
| | | | | | | | | | | demonstrated competency in core curriculum on
| | | | | | | | | | | a junior class competency test, or adherence to
| | | | | | | | | | | local district's achievement plan for
| | | | | | | | | | | graduation. State level minimum competency
| | | | | | | | | | | test is an option for the local districts. If
| | | | | | | | | | | passed, students receive special proficiency
| | | | | | | | | | | endorsement on their diploma.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Illinois ...................| 16 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4.5 |2.25 |.25 consumer education; 1 art, | 1988 |1 year of math may be computer technology.
| | | | | | | | | foreign language, music, or | | 1 year of social studies must be U.S. history
| | | | | | | | | vocational education | | or half U.S. history and half American
| | | | | | | | | | | government. Beginning 1985-86, the school
| | | | | | | | | | | boards were allowed to excuse 11-12th grades
| | | | | | | | | | | from physical education to: 1)participate in
| | | | | | | | | | | interscholastic athletics or 2)enroll in
| | | | | | | | | | | academic class required for college admission
| | | | | | | | | | | or to graduate from high school. 9-12th grade
| | | | | | | | | | | pupils may elect to take a consumer education
| | | | | | | | | | | proficiency test; if passed, they are excused
| | | | | | | | | | | from requirement.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Indiana ....................| | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 16 |19.5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 8 | | 1989 |State does not use standard Carnegie units.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Academic honors ..........| --- | 24 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 |4 or |3 or 4 in foreign language (3 in | 1990 |
| | | | | | | | | 1 or 2 years each in 2) | |
Iowa .......................| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | 1 | --- | | 1989 |Legislative requirements in effect for many years.
| | | | | | | | | | | Local districts determine remaining
| | | | | | | | | | | requirements. State allows junior and senior
| | | | | | | | | | | students to receive dual credits for college
| | | | | | | | | | | coursework.
Kansas .....................| 17 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | | 1989 |
Kentucky | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 18 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |1 additional math, science, social| 1987 |
| | | | | | | | | studies, or vocational education| |
Commonwealth .............| --- | 22 | 5 | 2 | --- | --- | 1 | 0 |1 foreign language in advance | 1986 |
| | | | | | | | | placement and 6 units in math | |
| | | | | | | | | and science | |
Louisiana ................. | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 20 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7.5 |.5 computer literacy | 1989 |
Scholar program ..........| --- | 23 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7.5 |.5 computer literacy | 1987 |Students with ACT score of 29 or above, 3.5 GPA
| | | | | | | | | | | with no semester grade lower than a B, no
| | | | | | | | | | | unexcused absences, and no suspensions
| | | | | | | | | | | receive a Scholar Program seal on their
| | | | | | | | | | | diploma. Algebra is required. Minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | competency test is required for graduation.
Regents' scholar program .| --- | 24 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4.5 |3 foreign languages, 1 fine arts | 1983 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Maine ......................|(\3\)| 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 3.5 |1 fine arts | 1989 |American history is required. All students must
| | | | | | | | | | | pass computer proficiency standards. 1 of the
| | | | | | | | | | | science units must include a lab.
Maryland ...................| 20 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |1 fine arts; 1 industrial | 1997 |After grade 11, 4 credits must be earned.
| | | | | | | | | arts/technology education, | | Students can earn statewide certificate of
| | | | | | | | | home economics, vocational | | merit with fulfillment of additional
| | | | | | | | | education, or computer studies; | | requirements. Special education certificates
| | | | | | | | | and 1 community service | | are available for students unable to meet
| | | | | | | | | | | requirements but who complete a special
| | | | | | | | | | | education program. Minimum competency test,
| | | | | | | | | | | writing test, and passage of quiz on
| | | | | | | | | | | citizenship are required for graduation.
Massachusetts ..............| --- | --- | --- | 1 | --- | --- | 4 | --- | | --- |American history is required. Local boards
| | | | | | | | | | | determine additional requirements.
Michigan | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard\4\ ..............| --- | --- | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | --- |2 foreign languages, fine or | --- |
| | | | | | | | | performing arts, or vocational | |
College prepara- | | | | | | | | | education; .5 computer education| |
tory\4\ .................| --- | --- | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | --- |At least 2 years foreign language | --- |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Minnesota ..................| 15 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 9.5 | | 1982 |Junior and senior students may receive dual
| | | | | | | | | | | credits for college coursework.
Mississippi ................| 16 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | --- | 8 | | 1989 |At least 1 science unit must include a lab.
| | | | | | | | | | | Minimum competency test is required for
| | | | | | | | | | | graduation.
Missouri | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 20 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 |1 practical arts; 1 fine arts | 1988 |
College | | | | | | | | | | |
preparatory .............| 20 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 |1 practical arts; 1 fine arts | 1988 |College preparation diploma became available to
| | | | | | | | | | | qualifying graduates. For college preparation,
| | | | | | | | | | | specific core subjects must be taken.
Montana ....................| 16 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 |1 fine arts; 1 vocational | 1992 |Social studies requirement has 2 alternatives.
| | | | | | | | | education; 1 practical arts | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Nebraska ...................| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1991 |200 credit hours are required for graduation, with
| | | | | | | | | | | at least 80 percent in core curriculum courses.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Nevada .....................| 19 |22.5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2.5 | 8.5 |1 arts/humanities; .5 computer | 1992 |Computer literacy may be waived by
| | | | | | | | | literacy | | demonstration of competency. Minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | competency test is required for graduation.
New Hampshire ..............| 16 |*****| 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | 1.25 | 4 |.5 arts; .5 computer science; 3 | 1989 |Minimum competency test for high school
| | | | | | | | | units from 2 of the following: | | graduation is an option of the local districts.
| | | | | | | | | arts, foreign language, | |
| | | | | | | | | practical arts, or vocational | |
| | | | | | | | | education | |
New Jersey .................| --- |21.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |1 fine, practical, or performing | 1990 |92 credit hours are required for graduation. State
| | | | | | | | | arts; .5 career exploration | | does not use standard Carnegie units. Minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | competency test is required for graduation.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
New Mexico .................| 20 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 |1 communication skills | 1990 |State board requires student computer literacy
| | | | | | | | | | | prior to graduation. Languages other than
| | | | | | | | | | | English can satisfy communication skills
| | | | | | | | | | | requirement, emphasizing writing and speaking.
| | | | | | | | | | | Students preparing for college have an advanced
| | | | | | | | | | | curriculum. State level minimum competency
| | | | | | | | | | | test is an option of the local districts;
| | | | | | | | | | | passing students receive a special proficiency
| | | | | | | | | | | endorsement on their diploma.
New York | | | | | | | | | | |
Local diploma ............| 16 |18.5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .5 |(\5\)|1 art and/or music; .5 health; 2 | 1989 |3-5 units from a sequence of specific courses
| | | | | | | | | noncredit units of physical | | must be chosen by the Regents' diploma
| | | | | | | | | education beyond the total. | | students. Minimum competency test is
| | | | | | | | | | | required for graduation. For a Regents'
Regents' diploma .........| 18 |18.5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .5 |(\5\)| | 1989 | diploma, comprehensive exams are required in
| | | | | | | | | | | most subjects.
North Carolina | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 16 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | | 1987 |1 science class must include a lab. Minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | competency test is required for graduation
Scholars program .........| --- | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |2 foreign languages; 2 additional:| 1994 |
| | | | | | | | | English, math, social science, | |
| | | | | | | | | or foreign language | |
North Dakota ...............| 17 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |Social studies must include 1 unit| 1994 |1 unit of higher level foreign language may be
| | | | | | | | | of world history, and 1 unit of | | substituted for the 4th unit of English; 1 unit
| | | | | | | | | U.S. history, each with a strong| | math may be business math. Although 17
| | | | | | | | | geography component. | | units are required, the local education
| | | | | | | | | | | agencies are urged to require a minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | of 20 units.
Ohio .......................| 17 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | | 1988 |Minimum competency test is required for
| | | | | | | | | | | graduation.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Oklahoma | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard ........ | 18 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | --- | 10 | | 1987 |
College | | | | | | | | | | |
preparatory .............|10.5 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | --- | --- |4 from: math, history, computer | 1988 |If foreign language is elected, 2 years in the
| | | | | | | | | science, economics, English, | | same language is required. Total hour
| | | | | | | | | geography, government, foreign | | requirement is less, but more rigorous and
| | | | | | | | | language, sociology, science, | | restrictive for college preparatory path.
| | | | | | | | | speech, and psychology | |
Oregon .....................| 21 | 22 | 3 | 3.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |.5 career development; 1 applied | 1988 |Minimum competency test is required for
| | | | | | | | | arts, fine arts, or foreign | | graduation. 3.5 GPA students receive an
| | | | | | | | | language | | honors seal on their diploma.
Pennsylvania ...............| 13 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 |2 arts/humanities | 1989 |Computer science can be an option instead of
| | | | | | | | | | | arts and humanities. State has prescribed
| | | | | | | | | | | learning objectives and curriculum guidelines
| | | | | | | | | | | for 12 goals of quality education.
Rhode Island | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 16 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | --- | 6 | | 1989 |
College | | | | | | | | | | |
preparatory .............| 16 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | --- | 4 |2 foreign languages; .5 arts; | 1989 |
| | | | | | | | | .5 computer literacy | |
South Carolina | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 18 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | | 1987 |If approved, 1 unit of computer science can
| | | | | | | | | | | count for a math requirement. 1 unit of
| | | | | | | | | | | science and 6 or more in a specific occupa-
| | | | | | | | | | | tional service area can fulfill the science
| | | | | | | | | | | requirement. Junior and senior students
| | | | | | | | | | | may receive dual credits for college course-
| | | | | | | | | | | work. Minimum competency test is required
Academic achieve- | | | | | | | | | | | for graduation.
ment honors .............| --- | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |2 foreign languages | 1986 |
South Dakota ...............| 16 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | --- | 7 |.5 computer studies; .5 fine arts | 1989 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Tennessee | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 18 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 9 |.5 economics | 1989 |Economics requirement may include: 1 semester
| | | | | | | | | | | in economics, out-of-school experiences
| | | | | | | | | | | through Junior Achievement, or marketing
| | | | | | | | | | | education. Minimum competency test is
Honors, general | | | | | | | | | | | required for graduation.
education ............ | --- |20.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 |2 in same foreign language; 2 fine| 1988 |
Honors, voca- | | | | | | | | | visual or performing arts | |
tional education ..... | --- |20.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 |4 in same vocational education | 1989 |
| | | | | | | | | program | |
Texas | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard .................| 18 | 21 | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 2 | 1.5/.5 | 7 |.5 economics/free enterprise | 1988 |1.5 units of physical education and .5 of health
| | | | | | | | | | | are required for either program. Minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | competency test is required for graduation.
| | | | | | | | | | | Junior and senior students can receive dual
College | | | | | | | | | | | credits for college coursework.
preparatory .............| 18 | 22 | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 1.5/.5 | 3 |.5 economics/free enterprise; | 1988 |
| | | | | | | | | 2 foreign languages; 1 computer | |
| | | | | | | | | science; 1 fine arts | |
Utah .......................| 15 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9.5 |1.5 arts; 1 vocational education | 1988 |State board makes specific course recommenda-
| | | | | | | | |optional .5 computer science | | tions for college entry, vocational, etc.
Vermont ....................| --- |14.5 | 4 | 3 |0 to 5|0 to | 1.5 | --- |1 arts; 5 units in math and | 1989 |To allow more flexibility to both vocational
| | | | | | | | | science | | education students and smaller or more rural
| | | | | | | | | | | districts, the previous math and science
| | | | | | | | | | | requirement of 3 units in each was modified to
| | | | | | | | | | | a combination of 5 units which may be 2 of one
Virginia | | | | | | | | | | | and 3 of the other.
Standard .................| 18 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |1 additional math or science; 1 | 1989 |An appropriate vocational education class or
| | | | | | | | | fine or practical arts | | ROTC may satisfy math or science. B average
| | | | | | | | | | | or better earns a state seal on the diploma.
| | | | | | | | | | | Junior and senior students can receive dual
| | | | | | | | | | | credits for college coursework. Minimum
| | | | | | | | | | | competency test is required for graduation.
Advanced studies .........| 18 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 |3 foreign languages; 1 fine or | 1989 |
| | | | | | | | | practical arts | |
Washington .................| --- | 19 | 3 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5.5 |1 occupational education; 1 fine/ | 1991 |
| | | | | | | | | visual or performing arts | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
West Virginia ..............| 18 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 |1 applied arts, fine or performing| 1989 |State has approved, but not implemented, an
| | | | | | | | | arts, or foreign language | | advanced studies certificate.
Wisconsin ..................|(\2\)| 13 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | --- | | 1989 |Electives and passage of a minimum competency
| | | | | | | | | | | test as a requirement for graduation are
| | | | | | | | | | | options of local districts. State recommends
| | | | | | | | | | | that districts require a total of 22 units.
Wyoming ....................| 18 | 18 | (\2\) | 1 |(\2\) |(\2\)| (\2\) |(\2\)|Local board determines | --- |Accreditation standards indicate 4 units of
| | | | | | | | | remaining requirements | | English/language arts, 3 social studies courses,
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 math courses, and 2 science courses.
____________________________|_____|_____|________|______|______|_____|________|_____|__________________________________|_________|___________________________________________________
|
\1\State permits local board to set minimum academic standards. NOTE.--Local school districts frequently have other graduation requirements in addition to state requirements. SOURCE: Education Commission of the States, Clearinghouse Notes, "Minimum High School Graduation Requirements: Standard Diplomas," 1980 and August 1993. (This table was prepared August 1994.) |
