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Digest of Education Statistics
1998 Tables and Figures All Years of Tables and Figures Most Recent Full Issue of the Digest

Table 154. -  State requirements for high school graduation, in Carnegie units: 1993 and 1996
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                            |  1993  | 1996 |                                1996                                                      |  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 .................|     22 |   24 |      4 |    4 |    4 |    4 |    1.5 |  5.5 |1 (.5 fine arts; .5 computer applications). |    2000 |Students must become computer literate through
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  related coursework.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Alaska .....................|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      1 |    9 |                                            |     --- |
Arizona ....................|     20 |   20 |      4 |  2.5 |    2 |    2 |      0 |    8 |1.5 (.5 free enterprise, 1 fine arts).      |    1996 |State board is required to adopt competency tests
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  for graduation in reading, writing and mathematics
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  (1996). Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  world history and geography; 1.5 units in U.S. and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Arizona Constitutions and Arizona history.\1\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Arkansas                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
   Technical postsecondary  |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
      preparatory ..........|     20 |   21 |      4 |    2 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    3 |5 (.5 oral communications; 1 vocational/    |    1997 |Science requirements include 1 unit in life science
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |technical; .5 fine arts; seniors take       |         |  and 1 unit in physical science.  Physical education
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |at least 3 academic courses).               |         |  requirement includes .5 unit in health and safety
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  and .5 unit in physical education.  Physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education cannot exceed 1 unit.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
   College preparatory .....|    --- |   21 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    3 |4 (.5 oral communication; .5 fine arts;     |    1988 |Science requirements include 1 unit in life science
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |seniors take at least 3 academic courses).  |         |  and 1 unit in physical science.  Physical education
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes .5 unit in health and safety
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  and .5 unit in physical education.  Physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education cannot exceed 1 unit.\1,2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
California                  |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     13 |   13 |      3 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      2 |  --- |1 (includes foreign language or American    |    1989 |  Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in U.S.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |Sign Language or visual and performing arts)|         |  history and geography, 1 unit in world history,
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  culture and geography, .5 unit American
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  government, and .5 unit economics.  Science
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes 1 unit in biological and 1 unit
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  in physical science.\3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Colorado ...................|    --- |(\1\) |  (\1\) |(\1\) |(\1\) |(\1\) |  (\1\) |(\1\) |---                                         |     --- |                           (\1,3\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Connecticut ................|     20 |   20 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    2 |      1 |    1 |6                                           |    1988 |Electives could be in arts or vocational education.
Delaware                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
    Standard (1997, 98) ....|     19 |   19 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |    1.5 |  6.5 |---                                         |    1997 |Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  health and 1 unit in physical education.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
    Standard (1999) ........|    --- |   20 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |    1.5 |  6.5 |1 (computer literacy); students must become |    1999 |Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  computer literate through formal class or |         |  health and 1 unit in physical education.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  related coursework.                       |         |
    Standard (2000) ........|    --- |   22 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |    1.5 |  --- |7.5 (1computer literacy; students must      |    2000 |Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  become computer literate through formal   |         |  health and 1 unit in physical education.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  class or related coursework; 3 Career     |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  Pathway\4\; 3.5 additional academic       |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  coursework).                              |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |
District of                 |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Columbia .................|   23.5 | 23.5 |      4 |  3.5 |    3 |    3 |    1.5 |  3.5 |5 (2 foreign language; 1 life               |    1996 |  D.C. requires 100 hours of
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  skills; 1 career/vocational;              |         |  community service without credit.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | .5 fine arts; .5 music).                   |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Florida ....................|     24 |   24 |      4 |  2.5 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    9 |1.5 (.5 economics; 1 practical arts         |     --- |Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | or exploratory career education).          |         |  American history, 1 unit in world history and .5 unit
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  in American government.  Two science units must
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  have a laboratory component.  The physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education requirement includes .5 unit in life
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  management skills and .5 units in physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education.\1,2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Georgia                     |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     21 |   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 in addition to requirements receive
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  and/or junior ROTC).                      |         |  a state seal of endorsement.  Mathematics
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes 1 unit in algebra.\1,2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Advanced .................|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    4 |3 (2 foreign language; 1 fine arts,         |     --- |                           (\1,2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  vocational education, computer            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  technology, or ROTC).                     |         |
Hawaii                      |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
    Standard ...............|     22 |   22 |      4 |    4 |    3 |    3 |      2 |    6 |---                                         |    1997 |Physical education includes 1 unit in health and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  guidance and 1 unit in physical education.  10th
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  grade students take the Hawaii State Test of
                                                                                                                                                    Essential Competencies (HSTEC).
    Recognition diploma ....|    --- |   24 |      4 |    4 |    3 |    3 |      2 |    6 |2 (foreign language, performing/fine arts,) |    1997 |Physical education requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  or vocational education).                 |         |  health and guidance and 1 unit in physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education.  10th grade students take Hawaii State
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                                         of Essential Competencies (HSTEC).
Idaho ......................|     21 |   21 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |    1.5 |    6 |3.5 (.5 reading; .5 speech; .5              |    1997 |State requires a C average, demonstrated
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  consumer education; 2 humanities.         |         |  competency in core curriculum on a junior class
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  Practical arts may substitute for 1       |         |  competency test or adherence to a local district's
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  of the 2 units in the humanities).        |         |  achievement plan for graduation.  History require-
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  ment includes 1 unit in U.S. history and 1 unit
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  in American government.  Both science units must
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  include a laboratory component.  The physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education requirement includes .5 unit in health and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  1 unit in physical education.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Illinois ...................|     16 |   16 |      3 |    2 |    2 |    1 |    4.5 | 2.25 |1.25 (1 from music, art, foreign language   |    1995 |1 year of mathematics  may be computer technology.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | which includes American Sign Language,     |         |  Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in U.S.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  or vocational education; .25 from         |         |  history or .5 unit in U.S. history and .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  consumer education.                       |         |  American government.  Physical education
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes .5 unit in health education.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Indiana                     |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|   19.5 | 19.5 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |    1.5 |    8 |---                                         |    1989 |State does not use standard Carnegie units.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         | Tenth grade exit exam begins with the class of
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         | 1999-2000.\1\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Academic honors ..........|     24 |   24 |      4 |    3 |    4 |    4 |      1 |4 or 5|3 or 4 in foreign language (3 years of      |    1990 |State does not use standard Carnegie units.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  1 language or 2 years in 2 languages)     |         | Tenth grade exit exam begins with the class of
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         | 1999-2000.\1\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Iowa .......................|    --- |  --- |    --- |  1.5 |  --- |  --- |    --- |  --- |---                                         |     --- |All students must participate in physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education unless they qualify under certain
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  exceptions.  Social studies requirement includes
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  1 unit in U.S. history and .5 unit in  American
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  government.\1,3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Kansas .....................|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      1 |    9 |---                                         |     --- |Students are required to take a course in Kansas
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  history or government (consisting of a minimum of
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  9 weeks and 1,800 minutes) in grades 7-12.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  English/language arts requirement includes 3 units
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  in English.  Social studies requirement includes
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  1 unit in American history and .5 unit in American
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  government.\1\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Kentucky                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     20 |   20 |      4 |    2 |    3 |    2 |      1 |    8 |---                                         |    1987 |Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in U.S.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  history.  The physical education requirement
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  includes .5 unit in health and .5 unit in physical
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  education.
  Commonwealth .............|     22 |   22 |      5 |    2 |    3 |    2 |      1 |    8 |1 foreign language in advanced              |    1993 |Completion of 1 exam in at least 3 of the advanced
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  placement.                                |         |  placement classes (science or mathematics,
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  foreign language and English) is required.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in health
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  and .5 unit in physical education.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Louisiana                   |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     23 |   23 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      2 |  7.5 |.5 computer literacy                        |    1987 |With an ACT score of 29 or above,
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  3.5 GPA or above with no semester grade lower
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  than a B, and no unexcused absences or
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  suspensions, students may receive a Scholar
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Program Seal on their diploma.\1,2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Regents                   |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  program ..................|     24 |   24 |      4 |  3.5 |    3 |    3 |      2 |  4.5 |4 (3 foreign language; 1 fine arts).        |    1983 |                           (\1,2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Maine ......................|     16 |   16 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |    1.5 |  3.5 |1 fine arts                                 |    1989 |Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  American history and 1 unit in American
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  government.  One science unit  must include a
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  laboratory component.  Students must pass
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  computer proficiency standards.\1\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Maryland ...................|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    2 |      1 |    5 |3 (1 fine arts; 1 industrial                |    1997 |                            (\2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  arts/technology education,                |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  home economics, vocational                |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  education, or computer studies;           |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  and 1 community service).                 |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Massachusetts ..............|    --- |  --- |    --- |    1 |  --- |  --- |      4 |  --- |---                                         |     --- |American history is required.\1,2,3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Michigan ...................|    --- |  --- |    --- |  --- |  --- |  --- |    --- |  --- |---                                         |    1993 |A competency exam is optional for students
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  wanting an endorsed diploma.  Students must
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  receive instruction on U.S. and Michigan history and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  take a semester of civics.\3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Minnesota ..................|     20 |  --- |    --- |  --- |  --- |  --- |    --- |  --- |---                                         |    2000 |                           (\1,2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Mississippi ................|     18 |   18 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |    --- |    8 |---                                         |    1989 |One science unit must include a laboratory
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  component.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Missouri                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     22 |   22 |      3 |    2 |    2 |    2 |      1 |   10 |2 (1 practical arts; 1 fine arts).          |    1988 |Local districts may add to the requirements.
  College preparatory       |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  certificate ..............|     24 |   24 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    2 |      1 |    9 |2 (1 practical arts; 1 fine arts).          |    1988 |Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  American history.  One science unit must
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  include a laboratory component.  Of the 9
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  elective units, 3 core electives are selected from
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  foreign language, English, social studies,
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  mathematics, science or fine arts.  A GPA  of 3.0
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  and SAT of 1014 or enhanced ACT of 21 is required.
Montana ....................|     20 |   20 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |      1 |    7 |2 (1 fine arts; 1 vocational/               |    1989 |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | practical arts).                           |         |
Nebraska ...................|    --- |  --- |    --- |  --- |  --- |  --- |    --- |  --- |---                                         |    1991 |The state does not use standard Carnegie units.\3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Nevada .....................|   22.5 | 22.5 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |    2.5 |  8.5 |1.5 (1 arts and humanities; .5              |    1992 |Computer literacy course requirement may be
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  computer literacy).                       |         |  waived by demonstration of competency.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  American government and 1 unit American history.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  health and 2 units in physical education.\1,2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
New Hampshire ..............|  19.75 |19.75 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |   1.25 |    7 |1.5 (.5 arts; .5 computer education; .5     |    1989 |  The social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  basic business and economics)             |         |  U.S. and New Hampshire history and 1 elective unit.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Science requirement includes 1 unit in physical and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  1 unit in biological science.  Physical education
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes .25 unit in health and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  1 unit in physical education.\3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
New Jersey .................|   21.5 | 21.5 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    2 |      4 |    4 |1.5 (1 fine, practical, or performing       |    1990 |110 credit hours are required for graduation.  (The
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  arts; .5 career education).               |         |  state does not use standard Carnegie units.)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Social studies requirement includes
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  2 units in U.S. history and 1 unit in world history/
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  cultures.  Science unit may be either natural or
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  physical science.\1,2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
New Mexico .................|     23 |   23 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    2 |      1 |    9 |1 communication skills                      |    1990 |  One science unit must have a laboratory component.  Social
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  studies requirement includes government and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  economics, world history and geography, and U.S.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  history and geography.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
New York                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|   18.5 | 20.5 |    --- |    4 |  --- |  --- |    2.5 |    2 |4 (1 art and/or music; 3 second             |    1989 |Social studies requirement includes U.S. history and
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | language)                                  |         |  government.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Regents diploma ..........|   18.5 | 18.5 |      4 |    4 |    2 |    2 |    2.5 |3 to 5| 1 (foreign language, art and/or            |    2000 |Physical education requirement includes .5
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  music, occupational, technical or         |         |  unit in health and 2 physical education.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  home economics education)                 |         |  Physical education courses may not be included
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  toward the 18.5 units required for graduation.  One
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  science credit must include a laboratory component.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  The 3 to 5 elective units are chosen from a
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  specified sequence of courses.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
North Carolina              |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     20 |   20 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |      1 |    9 |---                                         |    1987 |One science class must include a laboratory
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  component.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Scholars program .........|     22 |   22 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    4 |4 (2 foreign language; 2 additional         |    1994 |One science class must include a laboratory
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  credits from English, mathematics,        |         |   component.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  science, social science, or foreign       |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  language).                                |         |
North Dakota ...............|     17 |   17 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      1 |    5 |---                                         |    1994 |The social studies requirement includes 1 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |   world history and geography.  A unit of higher
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |   level foreign language may be substituted for the
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |   fourth unit of English.\3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Ohio .......................|     18 |   18 |      3 |    2 |    2 |    1 |      1 |    9 |3 (total units in a subject area            |    1988 |                           (\1,2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  other than language arts/English          |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  must be taken to complete a               |         |
Oklahoma                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  "minor").                                 |         |
  Standard .................|     20 |   21 |      4 |    2 |    3 |    2 |      0 |    8 |2 (1 fine/performing arts; 1 citizen-       |    2000 |                            (\1\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  ship skills).                             |         |
  College preparatory ......|     15 |   15 |      4 |    2 |    3 |    2 |      0 |  --- |4 (3 units chosen from foreign language,    |    1996 |                            (\1\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  computer science, English, mathematics,   |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  history, sociology, science, speech,      |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  or psychology; 1 unit from economics,     |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  geography, government or non-Western      |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  culture.                                  |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Oregon .....................|     22 |   22 |      3 |  3.5 |    2 |    2 |      2 |    8 |1.5 (.5 career development; 1 applied       |    1988 |Students receive an honors diploma for a GPA of
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  arts, fine arts, or foreign language).    |         |  3.5 or higher.
Pennsylvania ...............|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    5 |2 credits in arts, humanities or            |    1989 |Students must achieve 52 state academic
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  computer science                          |         |  performances and locally developed
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  outcomes.
Rhode Island                |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     16 |   16 |      4 |    2 |    2 |    2 |    --- |    6 |---                                         |    1989 |
   College preparatory .....|     18 |   18 |      4 |    2 |    3 |    2 |    --- |    4 |3 (2 credits in foreign language;           |     --- |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  .5 computer; .5 arts).                    |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
South Carolina              |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
   Technical preparatory....|     20 |   24 |      4 |    3 |    4 |    3 |      1 |    3 |6 (4 credits in occupational specialty;     |    2000 |Students must complete an occupational
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  2 in foreign language).                   |         |  specialty program consisting of
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  four sequential units of instruction
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  in a career major.  Students must
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  demonstrate keyboarding proficiency
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  and computer literacy before high school graduation.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  The social studies requirement
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  includes 1 world history or geography; 1 unit in U.S.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  history; .5 unit in U.S. government and .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  economics.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
   Dual Path................|     22 |   24 |      4 |    4 |    4 |    4 |      1 |    1 |6 (4 occupational specialty; 2 foreign      |    2000 |  Social studies requirement includes 1 unit in world
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  language).                                |         |  history; 1 unit in world geography; 1 unit in U.S. history;
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  .5 unit in U.S. government; and .5 unit in economics.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
   College preparatory......|    --- |   24 |      4 |    4 |    4 |    4 |      1 |    4 | 3 credits in foreign language              |      ---|  Proficiency in computer keyboarding/computer
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  literacy is required for graduation.  Social studies
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes 1 unit in world history; 1 unit
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  in world geography; 1 unit in U.S. history; .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  U.S. government; and .5 unit in economics.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
South Dakota ...............|     20 |   20 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |    --- |    8 |1 (.5 computer studies; .5 fine arts).      |    1989 |Language arts/English requirement includes
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  1.5 units in writing, .5 unit in American literature, .5
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  unit in literature and .5 unit in speech.  Social studies
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirement includes 1 unit in U.S. history, .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  U.S. government and .5 unit in geography.  Both
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  science units must include a laboratory.
Tennessee                   |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Technical preparatory ....|     20 |   20 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    2 | 4 (program of study focusing on a particula|    1989 |Exit exam with no passing standards is required
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  technical area)                           |         |  before graduation; it is used to assess readiness
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  for workplace or higher education.
   University preparatory ..|   20.5 |   20 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      1 |    3 |3 (2 in foreign language; 1 fine art)       |    1989 |Exit exam with no passing standards is required
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  before graduation; it is used to assess readiness
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  for workplace or higher education.
Texas                       |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard (1998)...........|     21 |   22 |      4 |    2 |    3 |    2 |      2 |    7 |2 (.5 economics/free enterprise;            |    1998 |Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | .5 speech; 1 technology application)       |         |  health and 1.5 units in physical education.\2\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard (2000)...........|     22 |   24 |      4 |    4 |    3 |    3 |      2 |    3 |5 (3 foreign language; 1 technology         |    2000 |Students must choose one of the three-credit
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      | application; 1 fine arts).                 |         |  additional options for electives.  College
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Board advanced placement and International
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  requirements in appropriate proficiency areas to
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  receive dual credits for college coursework.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  Physical education requirement includes .5 unit in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  health and 1.5 units in physical education.  Social
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  studies requirement includes economics.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Utah .......................|     24 |   24 |      3 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      2 |  9.5 |2.5 (1.5 arts; 1 applied technical          |    1988 |Students may accumulate credits
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |education or occupational preparation.      |         |  more quickly than peers and be eligible to receive
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  a Centennial Scholarship for Early Graduation to be
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  applied to college tuition.\1,3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Vermont ....................|   14.5 | 14.5 |      4 |    3 |0 to 5|0 to 5|    1.5 |  --- |1 arts                                      |    1989 |A total of 5 credits are required in
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  mathematics and science.
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Virginia                    |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard .................|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      2 |    6 |2 (1 additional mathematics or              |    1989 |                            (\2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  science; 1 fine or practical arts).       |         |
  Advanced studies .........|     23 |   23 |      4 |    3 |    3 |    3 |      2 |    4 |4 (3 foreign language; 1 fine or            |      ---|                            (\2\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  practical arts).                          |         |
Washington .................|     19 |   19 |      3 |  2.5 |    2 |    2 |      2 |  5.5 |2 (1 occupational education; 1 fine/        |    1991 |                            (\1\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |  visual or performing arts).               |         |
West Virginia               |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
  Standard (1989)...........|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      2 |    8 |---                                         |    1989 |Electives must be from applied arts, fine or
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  performing arts, or a foreign language.
  Standard (2002) ..........|     21 |   21 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      2 |    7 |1 art, music, theater or dance              |    2002 |
Wisconsin ..................|     13 | 21.5 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |      2 |  --- |---                                         |    1989 |Grades 9-12 need 1.5 units of physical education
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |  and grades 7-12 need .5 unit of health.\1,3\
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
Wyoming ....................|     18 |   18 |      4 |    3 |    2 |    2 |    --- |    5 |---                                         |    1997 |                            (\3\)
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
                            |        |      |        |      |      |      |        |      |                                            |         |
____________________________|________|______|________|______|______|______|________|______|____________________________________________|_________|_____________________________________________________________

\1\State allows dual credit for college coursework.
\2\Minimum competency test is required.
\3\Local boards determine at least some requirements.
\4\A Career Pathway is a planned program of sequenced or specialized courses designed to develop knowledge and skills in a particular career area. Students may use the Additional Academic Coursework (visual and performing arts, foreign language and/or vocational technical education coursework, including Junior ROTC) as an option, to pursue individual academic interests. The credits in these two categories will eventually replace the elective credits.
---Data not available or not applicable.

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" November 1996. (This table was prepared July 1997.)


1998 Tables and Figures All Years of Tables and Figures Most Recent Full Issue of the Digest