Graduation 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Graduation 2012 and After

Graduating from a Georgia Public High School

(Graduation requirements for Georgia public school students have changed. New requirements take effect Fall 2008.)

Graduation requirements for students entering ninth grade in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 (and graduating in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011)

 In order to graduate, public school students in Georgia must:

ü      Select a program of study

ü      Successfully complete the required high school coursework

ü      Pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests

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.

Coursework

*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.

Graduation requirements for students entering ninth grade in 2008 and after (and graduating in 2012 and after)

In order to graduate, public school students in Georgia must:

• Satisfy attendance requirements
• Successfully complete the required high school coursework (23 units)
• Pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT)
• Pass the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT)

Diplomas & Coursework

Students completing high school will receive one of the following:

      High School Diploma – document awarded to students certifying that they have

satisfied attendance requirements, unit requirements and the state assessments

requirements.

High School Certificate – document awarded to students who do not complete all of

the criteria for a diploma or who have not passed the state assessment

requirements but have earned 23 units and meet all local board requirements.

Special Education Diploma – document awarded to students with disabilities

assigned to a special education program and have not met the state assessment

requirements or who have not completed all of the requirements for a high school

diploma but have completed their Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

Students must complete 23 units of coursework in order to graduate.

Georgia 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 of the following tests:

• English/Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

Students begin taking the tests in their junior year. Students have multiple opportunities

to take each of the tests before the end of the twelfth grade.

Georgia High School Writing Test

Students are required to take and pass the Georgia High School Writing Test. Initially

taken in the fall of the junior year, this 2hour test evaluates persuasive writing ability.

Students have opportunities to retake the test before the end of the twelfth grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I graduate from high school?

Graduating from high school is the first step to your future. It demonstrates that you have

mastered many of the skills necessary to run your own life and make your own

decisions. In addition, graduating from high school increases your earning power. The

more you learn, the more you earn!

 (Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall 2006, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Who is going to help me graduate successfully? School counselors, graduation

coaches, teachers and administrators, family members and friends are all part of your

graduation team. Talk to them, ask questions, and collect information. Do your part by

attending classes and studying. Get involved in school activities.

What happens if I don’t pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests or the

Georgia High School Writing Test? 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. These students can return to retake the test(s) as often as

they wish in order to qualify for a high school diploma.

What are the high school requirements for transfer students? Students who transfer

to a Georgia high school will follow the graduation requirements that were in effect in the

year the transfer student was a first-time ninth grader.

Can middle school classes (6^th, 7^th , 8^th grade) count towards high school

graduation? Yes. Credit may be awarded for classes such as foreign language,

mathematics, and science. Talk with a middle school counselor or high school

counselor/graduation coach.

Why should I take a foreign language? Students choosing a career that requires a

college education should take 2 years of the same foreign language. Although foreign

languages are not required for high school graduation, most colleges/universities do

require foreign languages for admissions.

Can American Sign Language be used to meet foreign language requirements?

Yes, 2 units of American Sign Language will satisfy the requirement.

What is the Georgia Virtual School Program?

The Georgia Virtual School Program is provided by the Georgia Department of

Education to offer instructional high school programs online for students. Preference is

given to students enrolled at Georgia public schools.

Do I have to take the SAT or ACT? Taking the SAT or ACT is not a requirement for

graduation from a Georgia public high school. However many colleges and universities

do require scores from the SAT or ACT for admissions. Be sure to check the admissions

requirements for the school that interests you.

After high school, what next? You have many options open to you after you graduate

from high school.

• Go to college/vocational school
• Attend an apprenticeship training program
• Volunteer
• Join the military
• Get a job

Copyright 2008, Georgia Career Information Center, Georgia State University.  All rights reserved.
Content provided by the Georgia Career Resources Network.
Partners include the Georgia Career Information Center, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, and University System of Georgia.