To be eligible for graduation from high school, students must meet certain requirements as set forth by their specific school district and state. These requirements are not the same in every state as there are no national standards, but requirements for graduating high school are similar enough from state to state that they are not problematic for students who change schools during their high school years.
Academic Credits
Students must earn a minimum number of academic credits to graduate from high school. States differ on the number of credits required, but they range from 16 to 24 credits. In general, these credits are: English-4 credits, math-3 credits, science-3 credits, social science-3 credits, foreign language-2 credits, computer and technology-2 credits, physical education-1 credit, and electives-3 credits.
GPA
Students must demonstrate basic academic mastery. A grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 grade scale indicates that the required courses have been passed satisfactorily. Of course, a higher GPA increases the opportunities for students to earn scholarships offered by colleges.
Assessment Tests
Most public schools require that students make a minimum score on their state's standardized exams in specific subjects like algebra, biology, U.S. history, and writing. These tests are taken throughout high school, giving a student additional chances to retake tests if necessary to achieve the required score.
Some high schools also require that graduating seniors take either the ACT or SAT test, which is also necessary for college bound students.
Public and Private School Comparison
A study conducted by the Center of Education Statistics showed that public and private school graduation requirements followed similar criteria. Neither type of school required the number of credit hours in English, math, and foreign language recommended by the Center, but no major differences were found that would be detrimental to the overall education of students.
Exceptions
There are alternatives to earning a standard high school diploma. Most states award a certificate of completion or a vocational diploma for students who do not meet the academic requirements for general graduation. Students in special education programs or students enrolled in vo-tech training can earn these diplomas. The standard for completion may include a lower number of academic classes as well as no minimum GPA requirement.
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