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Graduating from a
(Graduation
requirements for
Graduation requirements for students
entering ninth grade in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 (and graduating in 2008,
2009, 2010 and 2011)
ü
Select a program of
study
ü
Successfully complete
the required high school coursework
ü
Pass the
ü
Satisfy attendance requirements
Programs of Study &
Coursework
Students may choose from
the following five programs of study. Upon completion, the student receives a high
school diploma with a seal that matches the program of study.
|
Type of Program of
Study/Seal |
Units |
|
College Preparatory
(CP) |
22 |
|
College Preparatory
with Distinction (CP+) |
24 |
|
Technology/Career
Preparatory (TC) |
22 |
|
Technology/Career
Preparatory with Distinction (TC+) |
24 |
|
Dual |
22 |
Coursework
|
|
Dual |
CP |
CP+ |
TC |
TC+ |
|
English/Language Arts* |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Mathematics* |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3** |
3** |
|
Science* |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Social Studies* |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Health & Physical
Education |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Computer Technology &/or
Fine Arts &/or Technology/Career-preparatory
&/or Foreign Language |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Foreign Language* |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0** |
|
Technology/Career-preparatory
units*** (from core Technology/Career-preparatory courses) |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Locally required or
elective units |
0 |
4 |
4 |
3** |
4** |
|
State Electives from
Core Courses (courses with a single asterisk) &/or Fine Arts |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
TOTAL UNITS (MINIMUM) |
22 |
22 |
24 |
22 |
24 |
*Core Courses
**Technology/Career-preparatory
students may want to utilize an elective unit as Foreign Language or as a
fourth unit of mathematics depending upon the student’s program of study and
the student’s intentions to enter a University System of Georgia institution.
The appropriate number of mathematics units for each Technology/Career-preparatory
program of study shall be determined by the local board of education.
***Technology/Career-preparatory
includes Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
High School Graduation
Tests
All students are
required to pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests in order to earn a
high school diploma. The tests cover only a sample of the knowledge and skills
that constitute a high school education. Students must pass all five of the
following tests:
ü
English/Language Arts
ü
Mathematics
ü
Science
ü
Social Studies
ü
Writing
Students begin taking
the tests in their junior year. The Writing test is given in the fall and the
other four content area tests are given in the spring. Students must pass all
of the tests by the end of their senior year. Students have five opportunities
to take each of the tests before the end of the twelfth grade.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is the difference
between a seal and a dual seal? A seal is an attachment placed on a high school diploma.
The seal indicates that a program of study was completed successfully. Most
students only receive one seal. However, some students may also be eligible to
graduate with a dual seal (two seals). Students who complete the requirements
for either the CP or CP+ program as well as complete the requirements for
either the TC or TC+ program will receive a dual seal on their high school
diploma.
What is the advantage of
receiving a dual seal? Students completing the requirements of both a college preparatory
program and a technology/career-preparatory program have received an education
to adequately prepare them for college and they have developed skills,
knowledge, and experience that prepared them to find work.
What is the difference
between a core course, a required course, and an elective course?
ü
Core course: a course chosen from
English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language to satisfy
graduation requirements
ü
Required course: a course that is
mandatory
ü Elective course: a course, beyond the core requirements, that fulfills units for graduation
What are the
requirements to earn a diploma seal with distinction? Students must meet
additional requirements to earn this diploma. CP+ and TC+ programs of study
require students to take an extra 2 units, totaling 24 units overall. In
addition, the grade point average in core courses must be at least a 3.0 on a
four-point scale.
Can American Sign
Language be used to meet foreign language requirements? Students in the CP and
CP+ programs of study are required to take 2 units of foreign language. For
students who do not have a hearing impairment, American Sign Language (ASL)
will not satisfy the foreign language requirements. ASL may only be taken as
one elective credit or as a third unit of foreign language credit beyond the 2
units required.
What happens if I don’t
pass the High School Graduation Tests? Students who do not pass all the tests but have
met all other graduation requirements may be eligible for a high school
certificate or a special education diploma. Such students can return to retake
the test(s) as often as they wish in order to qualify for a high school
diploma.
Copyright
2009,
Georgia Career Information Center, Georgia State University. All rights
reserved.
Partners include the Georgia Career Information Center, Georgia Department of
Education, Georgia Department of Labor, Technical College System of Georgia, and University System of Georgia.