High school students who graduate are expected to know specific information and have specific skills. States and schools vary on what high school students need to know before graduation, and they set different standards, but there are some common requirements for all high school graduates.
Math Skills
High school students who graduate must know basic math skills before graduation. The level of math skills differs by state, but most states require students to know algebra and geometry, and some states also use an integrated math program. Some states have further requirements for math skills, such as pre-calculus.
English and Literature
In high school, students generally take at least three or four English or literature classes. Students are expected to know skills like essay construction, grammar and spelling. The exact requirements for English skills vary by state and school but often include classes based on literature from different time periods. Generally, high school graduates should know read and write at the appropriate level by the time they are out of school.
Science Skills
Science requirements in high school vary by school and state as well. Some states require specific studies like biology, chemistry and physics while other states require generalized studies like the physical or earth sciences. The skills expected of high school students by graduation are usually a working knowledge of scientific processes like forming a hypothesis, experimentation and drawing conclusions from the experiment.
Social Studies Skills
Usually students study both U.S. history and world history in high school social studies classes. The amount of knowledge will vary depending on the school and the state, but usually students should know about the main wars that took place in the United States or that the United States was involved in as well as the major events of world history.
Other Studies
Schools vary on other graduation needs. Some states require foreign language studies, electives like music, art or theater or technical studies. Other schools do not require any of these studies and offer them as optional electives instead of required courses.
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