2410 (P) - High School Graduation Requirements

PROCEDURE No. 2410

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

I. PUBLICATION OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Prior to registering in high school and each year thereafter, each student and his or her parents or guardians will be provided with a copy of the graduation requirements in effect for that student (those in effect when the student enrolled in ninth grade). Graduation requirements may also be included in the student handbook.

II. CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

Period of Eligibility to Earn Credits
Generally, credit towards high school graduation will be earned in grades nine through twelve. However, unless requested otherwise by the student and the student’s family, the district will award high school credit towards fulfilling graduation requirements to a student who has completed high school courses while in seventh or eighth grade if one of the following applies:

A. The course was taken with high school students, and the student successfully passed the same course requirements and examinations as the high school students enrolled in the class; or

B. The course taught at the middle school level has been determined by the district to be similar or equivalent to a course taught at the high school level.

Students who have taken and successfully completed high school courses under the above circumstances shall not be required to take an additional mastery/competency examination or perform any other additional assignment to receive credit.

At the request of the student and the student’s parent or guardian, high school credit earned before high school may be transcribed with a nonnumerical grade, such as “pass” or “credit.” A nonnumerical grade will not be included in the student’s high school grade point average calculations. High school credit earned prior to high school and transcribed with a nonnumerical grade will apply to fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

Before the end of eleventh grade, a student and the student’s parent or guardian must inform the school if they do not want credit for the course or courses taken before attending high school or if they want the credit to be transcribed with a nonnumerical grade.

Awarding of High School Credit
The district will award high school credit for successful completion of a specified unit of study. A student successfully completes a specified unit of study by doing one of the following:

 
A. Earning a passing grade according to the district’s grading policy;
B. Demonstrating proficiency or mastery of content standards as determined by the district (the district will establish a process for determining proficiency or mastery for credit bearing courses of study); or
C. Successfully completing an established number of hours of planned instructional activities to be determined by the district.

Credits from Other Programs
The principal or designee is responsible for determining which credits will be recognized by the district for students enrolling from another state approved learning program (public school, approved private school, or home school), or from out-of-state, or out-of-country. The district will accept credits from another Washington public school or accredited state private school or accredited out-of-state public or private school to the extent the credit matches a district graduation requirement, or may be counted as an elective credit. The district will evaluate credits from unaccredited programs or home schools as described below for home school students. Decisions of the principal or designee may be appealed to the superintendent within fifteen school days of the initial decision.

Total Number of Credits Required

Subject and Credit Requirements for Graduation
The following courses are approved for satisfying the subject area requirements as established by the State Board of Education and shall be required of each candidate for graduation:

A. English - Four (4) credits required: Including 3 credits of college preparatory composition or literature. One credit may be satisfied by courses in drama as literatures, journalistic writing, English as a Second Language, or Learning Support English.
 
B. Math - Three (3) credits are required:
1. The three mathematics credits must include Algebra I or integrated mathematics I, Geometry or integrated mathematics II, and a third credit of high school mathematics that aligns with the student’s interests and high school and beyond plan.
2. A student who prior to ninth grade successfully completes one or more high school level math courses with a passing grade that is automatically transcribed on the student’s high school transcript or a student who demonstrates mastery or competency in high school math subjects and has received credit for them may use those credits to meet his or her graduation requirement.
3. A student who prior to ninth grade successfully completes one or more high school level math courses with a passing grade and opts to receive no high school credit for that course or those courses or a student who demonstrated mastery or competency in those subjects but did not receive high school credits may do one of the following:
i. Repeat the course or courses for credit in high school; or
ii. Earn three credits of high school mathematics in different math subjects than those completed before high school. The student must take Algebra I or integrated mathematics I and Geometry or integrated mathematics II in high school if the student did not complete those courses at a high school level prior to high school. However, the student does not need to repeat courses if the student already took the courses at a high school level.
4. A student may substitute a computer science course aligned to state computer science learning standards as an alternative to a third year of mathematics so long as:
i. Before substituting the mathematics course, the counselor provides the student and the student’s parent/guardian with written notification of postsecondary consequences due to the substitution;
ii. The student, the student’s parent or guardian, and the school principal or counselor agree to the substitution;
iii. The substitution aligns with the student’s high school and beyond plan; and
iv. The student has not already substituted a third-year science course for a computer science course.

C. Science - Three (3) credits are required:
1. Two science credits must be in laboratory science.
2. A student may choose the content of the third science credit based on his or her interests and his or her high school and beyond plan, with agreement of the student’s parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference for a specific course, the school counselor or principal may provide agreement.
3. A student may substitute a computer science course aligned to state computer science learning standards as an alternative to a third year of science so long as:
i. Before substituting the mathematics course, the counselor provides the student and the student’s parent or guardian with written notification of postsecondary consequences due to the substitution; 
ii. The student, the student’s parent or guardian, and the school principal or counselor agree to the substitution;
iii. The substitution aligns with the student’s high school and beyond plan; and
iv. The student has not already substituted a third-year mathematics course for a computer science course.
D. Social Studies - Three (3) credits are required: The following are required: 1.0 credits of U.S. History and Government; .5 credits of Contemporary World History; 0.5 credits of Civics (content may be embedded in another social studies course); 1.0 credits of Social Studies elective.

E. Arts - Two (2) credits are required: Performing or visual arts is required. One (1) credit may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement, defined as related courses that lead to a specific post-high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student and based on the student’s interests and High School and Beyond Plan, which may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning.

F. World Language - Two (2) credits are required: Both credits may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement. If the student has chosen a four-year degree pathway in their High School and Beyond Plan, the student will be advised to earn 2 credits in world language.

G. Health and Fitness* - Two (2) credits are required: plus credit earned for Physical Education unless excused. .5 credits of Health, 1.5 credits of physical education.

H. Career and Technical Education: One (1) credit is required.

I. Electives: Four (4) credits are required.

J. Washington State History (non-credit). Although a student does not need to receive credit for such a course, a student must complete a Washington State history and government course.

Total number of credits: 24

Alternative Programs
The district may grant credit toward graduation requirements for planned learning experiences primarily conducted away from the facilities owned, operated, or supervised by the district.

A proposal for approval of out-of-school learning activities will be submitted prior to the experience, will be at no additional cost to the district, and will include at least the following information:
A. The name of the program or planned learning experience;
B. The length of time for which approval is desired;
C. The objective(s) of the program or planned learning experience;
D. The state learning goals and related learning standards are part of the program or planned learning experience;
E. A description of how credits will be determined in accord with WAC 180-51-050(1);
F. The content outline of the program and/or major learning activities and instructional materials to be used;
G. A description of how student performance will be assessed;
H. The qualifications of instructional personnel;
I. The plans for evaluation of program; and
J. How and by whom the student will be supervised.

The district will keep a list of approved programs on file in the superintendent's office. The superintendent or designee will communicate the reasons for approval or disapproval to those making the request.

Running Start
The Running Start program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend community college classes (100 level or above) for part or all of their schedule. Students must be of junior standing or above to be eligible for the program. Students earn college credit, which is also converted and applied to their high school transcript.

In order to enroll in the Running Start program, students need to do the following:

A. Check with their high school counselor and/or determine the options for demonstrating college-level placement via assessments or courses taken. At a minimum scores in reading and writing are required.
B. Speak with their counselor to assess credits needed for graduation, then decide which courses they would like to take at the college. Note that part-time Running Start students will need to coordinate college classes so that they do not interfere with their high school classes. Full-time Running Start students will generally not be enrolled in courses at the high school, even when the community college they attend is not in session. A student enrolled full-time at a college may use .2 FTE to enroll at the high school for the purpose of accessing college courses online. Students are permitted to enroll in a combined annual average of 1.2 FTE between the high school and the college.
C. Obtain a Running Start verification form from the college or their high school counselor. Work with high school counselor and/or college to verify course decisions and coverage of tuition via state funding for selected courses. Parent consent is required if the student is under 18 years old.
D. Register for classes via the college’s online registration system. First time Running Start students will need to enroll in the college before completing the registration process. The verification process in “C” needs to occur to ensure state funding for college courses.
E. Work with school counselor to ensure transmission of the authorization form to the college prior to established deadlines to ensure continued enrollment.
 
Credit for Career and Technical Work-Based Learning
The district regards work experience as a part of the educational program of students as part of the secondary school curriculum rather than just a device to relieve a staffing shortage. The district may grant credit for work experience based upon the following factors:
A. The school will supervise the work program.
B. The work experience will specifically relate to the student’s school program.
C. The work experience will represent growth in the student, and the type of work will have definite educational value.
D. The work experience will provide a varied job experience.
E. The career placement counselor will supplement the work experience with an adequate program of guidance, placement, follow-up, and coordination between job and school.
F. The work experience may be a planned part of the credit given for a school subject (e.g., sales training class).
G. The district may grant one credit for not less than one hundred eighty hours for instructional work based learning experience and not less than three hundred sixty hours of cooperative work based learning experience related to a student’s school program. Alternatively, the district may grant one credit on a mastery/competency basis as provided under WAC 180-51-050 (1)(b).
H. The employer will legally employ the student who must have passed his or her sixteenth birthday.
I. The employer will file a report of the student's work record with the school, indicating the student made satisfactory progress on the job.
J. The regular state apprenticeship program and school cooperatively develop the student’s training, which meets graduation requirements standards.
K. The program standards and procedures align with the state career and technical work based learning standards.

College in the High School

The college in the high school program is a dual credit program located on a high school campus or in a high school environment in which a high school student may earn both college credit and high school credit by achieving a passing grade in a college level course. A college in the high school program will be governed by a local contract which will include qualifications for students to enroll in the program.
Additionally, applicable information regarding students in the program includes the following:
A. Students who have not yet received a high school diploma, and are eligible to be in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades may participate in the high school in the college program.
B. Students will receive credit for the courses they complete. If a student completes a course for which there is not a comparable course with the District, then an administrator will determine how many credits the student will receive for the course. Such a determination shall be issued in writing by an administrator prior to the student beginning the course.
Students may be required to pay a tuition fee to receive college credit for a course. Students will not be required to pay a tuition fee for high school credit.

 
National Guard High School Career Training
The district may grant credit for National Guard high school career training in lieu of either required or elective high school credits. Approval by the district will be obtained prior to a student's participation in a National Guard training program as follows:

A. MIL Form 115 or an equivalent form provided by the National Guard will be completed and filed with the school district; and
B. The number of credits toward high school graduation to be granted will be calculated, agreed upon by the student, and an authorized representative of the school district, and such agreement noted on MIL Form 115 or such equivalent form
C. The district may grant credit toward high school graduation upon certification by a National Guard training unit commander that the student has met all program requirements.

Home School Credit
Guidelines for granting high school credit for home schooling are as follows:
A. To gain credit for a course of study, a student will provide the following:
1. A journal that reflects the actual work completed during a home-study course of study;
2. Exhibit(s) of any specific projects completed (e.g., themes, research papers, art and/or shop projects); or
3. Any such other performance-based exhibits of specific course-related accomplishments.
B. To gain credit for a course of study, a student must demonstrate proficiency at a minimum of 80 percent of the objectives of the course. Such testing will be available as an ancillary service of the district if it is regularly available to all students. If not, the parent may engage district-approved personnel to conduct such an assessment at a cost determined by such personnel.
C. Credit is granted for the following approved schools:
1. Community colleges, vocational-technical institutes, four-year colleges and universities, and approved private schools in the state of Washington, and
2. Other schools or institutions that are approved by the district after evaluation for a particular course offering.

III. HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND PLAN REQUIREMENT

Each student must have a high school and beyond plan to guide the student’s high school experience and inform course taking that is aligned with the student’s goals for education or training and career after high school.

High school and beyond plans must be initiated for students during the seventh or eighth grade to guide their high school experience and prepare them for postsecondary education or training and their careers. In preparation for initiating a high school and beyond plan, each student must first be administered a career interest and skills inventory.
 
The district encourages parents and guardians to be involved in the process of developing and updating students’ high school and beyond plans. Students’ plans will be provided to students’ parents or guardians in their native language if that language is one of the two most frequently spoken non-English languages of students in the district.

School staff will update students’ plans to reflect high school assessment results and revised as necessary for changing interests, goals, and needs. Each student’s high school and beyond plan will be updated to inform junior year course taking.

For students with an individualized education program (IEP), the high school and beyond plan must be developed and updated in alignment with their IEP, but in a similar manner and with similar school personnel as for all other students.

All high school and beyond plans will, at a minimum, include the following:

A. Identification of career goals, aided by a skills and interest assessment;
B. Identification of educational goals;
C. Identification of dual credit programs and the opportunities they create for students, including eligibility for automatic enrollment in advanced classes under RCW 28A.320.195, career and technical education programs, running start programs, AP courses, international baccalaureate programs, and college in the high school programs;
D. Information about the college bound scholarship program established in chapter 28B.118 RCW;
E. A four-year plan for course taking that does the following:
1. Includes information about options for satisfying state and local graduation requirements;
2. Satisfies state and local graduation requirements;
3. Aligns with the student’s secondary and postsecondary goals, which can include education, training, and career;
4. Identifies course sequences to inform academic acceleration, as described in RCW 28A.320.195, that include dual credit courses or programs and are aligned with the student’s goals;
5. Includes information about the college bound scholarship program; and
6. Evidence that the student has received the following information on federal and state financial aid programs that help pay for the costs of a postsecondary program:
i. Information about the documentation necessary for completing the applications; application timelines and submission deadlines; the importance of submitting applications early; information specific to student who are or have been in foster care; information specific to students who are, or are at risk of being, homeless; information specific to students whose family member or guardians will be required to provide financial and tax information necessary to complete the application; and
ii. Opportunities to participate in sessions that assist students and, when necessary, their family members or guardians, fill out financial aid applications. 
F. By the end of the twelfth grade, a current resume or activity log that provides a written compilation of the student’s education, any work experience, and any community service and how the school district has recognized the community service.
G. CULMINATING PROJECT
The district requires that students complete a Culminating Project as a requirement for high school graduation. In assisting students with developing the Culminating Project the district should:
1. Advise the student and parents of the requirement to complete a culminating project as a graduation requirement;
2. Provide the student assistance and guidance annually on completing the project;
3. The culminating project may include:
i. A demonstration of the student’s ability to communicate in writing by completing an analytical, argumentative and/or reflective letter;
ii. A demonstration of the student’s ability to communicate orally through a presentation to peers, teachers and/or community members;
iii. Completion of a self-directed student project that demonstrates the student’s academic and management skills; and
iv. The opportunity for the student to complete a community service project or a project working with a community member;
4. Review each student’s progress annually.
5. Provide opportunities within the curriculum for students to work on projects.

IV. GRADUATION PATHWAY OPTIONS

A student may choose to pursue one or more of the pathway options described below to demonstrate career and college readiness as long as the option chosen is in alignment with the student’s high school and beyond plan.

Statewide High School Assessment
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting or exceeding the graduation standard established by the State Board of Education on the statewide high school assessments in English language arts and mathematics.

Dual Credit Courses
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by completing and qualifying for college credit in dual credit courses. A dual credit course is a course in which a student qualifies for college and high school credit upon successfully completing the course.

High School Transition Courses
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by earning high school credit in a high school transition course in English language arts and mathematics. A high school transition course is a course offered in high school where successful completion by a high school student ensures the student college-level placement at participating institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016. High school transition courses must satisfy core or elective credit graduation requirements established by the State Board of Education.

AP Courses and International Baccalaureate Programs
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by earning high school credit, with a C+ grade, or receiving a three or higher on the AP exam, or equivalent, in AP, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge international courses in English language arts and mathematics; or receiving a four or higher on international baccalaureate exams.

For English language arts, successfully completing any of the following courses meets the standard: AP microeconomics, AP psychology, AP United States history, AP world history, AP United States government and politics, AP comparative government and politics, and any of the international baccalaureate individuals and societies courses.

For mathematics, successfully completing any of the following courses meets the standard: AP statistics, AP computer science, AP computer science principals, AP calculus, and any of the international baccalaureate mathematics courses.

SAT or ACT Scores
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting or exceeding the scores established by the state board of education for the mathematics portion and the reading, English, or writing portion of the SAT or ACT.

Combination of Options
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting any combination of at least one English language arts option and at least one mathematics option described above.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting standard in the armed services vocational aptitude battery by scoring at least the minimum established by the military for eligibility to serve in a branch of the armed services at the time the student takes the assessment. The state board of education will post eligibility scores on its website at least annually by September 1st.

Career and Technical Education Courses
A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by completing a sequence of career and technical education courses that are relevant to a student’s postsecondary pathway that meet either the curriculum requirements of core plus programs for aerospace, maritime, health care, information technology, or construction and manufacturing; or the minimum criteria identified in RCW 28A.700.030.

Expedited Appeal Process for Waiving Student Assessment Requirements
For the graduating classes of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, an expedited appeal process for waiving specific requirements in RCW 28A.655.061 pertaining to the certificate of academic achievement and the certificate of individual achievement is available for eligible students who have not met the state standard on the English language arts statewide student assessment, the mathematics high school statewide student assessment, or both. The student or the student’s parent, guardian, or principal may initiate an appeal with the district and the district has the authority to determine which appeals to submit to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for review and approval.

A student in the class of 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 is eligible for the expedited appeal process if he or she has met all other graduation requirements established by the state and district.

A student in the class of 2018 is eligible for the expedited appeal process if he or she has met all other graduation requirements established by the state and district and has attempted at least one alternative assessment option as established in RCW 28A.655.065.

This expedited appeal process will no longer be available after August 31, 2022.

V. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMME DIPLOMA

A student who fulfills the requirements for an International Baccalaureate Programme diploma is considered to have satisfied at least one of the graduation pathway options and the minimum state requirements for graduation from high school, but the district may require the student to complete additional local graduation requirements. To receive an international baccalaureate diploma, a student must complete and pass all required diploma program courses, as scored at the local level; pass all internal assessments, as scored at the local level; successfully complete all required projects and products, as scored at the local level; and complete the final exams administered by the international baccalaureate organization in each of the required subjects.

 
VI. STUDENT’S WITH AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)

A student’s IEP team must determine whether the graduation pathway options described above are appropriate for the student. Expiring with the class of 2021, if the IEP team determines that those options are not appropriate, then the student must earn a certificate of individual achievement to graduate. A certificate of individual achievement may be earned by using multiple measures to demonstrate skills and abilities commensurate with the students IEP.

The following process will be followed to help a student with an IEP graduate:
A. By the age of 14, the student will participate with the IEP Team (including a special education teacher, general education teacher, parents, student, and other school personnel and agency representatives who will assist the student in achieving the goals of the IEP) in a discussion of transition service needs that focuses on the student’s course of study.
B. As an outcome of the discussion, the IEP will include appropriate graduation requirements based on the student’s individual needs and abilities consistent with the student’s transition plan. Modifications to the district’s standard graduation requirements may include:
1. Attainable alternate classwork or individualized activities substituted for standard requirements;
2. An extension of time for the student to remain in school to complete graduation requirements. The student may remain in school up to and including the school year in which the student reaches twenty-one years of age.
C. The student will, in cooperation with his or her parent or guardian and the IEP team, determine:
1. The projected date by which all graduation requirements will be met; and
2. The projected date and conditions under which the student will participate in the graduation ceremony.
D. The student will have an IEP that incorporates all issues and decisions from the above procedures. Any decision that modifies the district’s standard graduation requirements will be made through the IEP process. Annually or as needed, the IEP will be reviewed or revised to accommodate the student’s progress and development.

VII. SEAL OF BILITERACY

To be awarded the Washington Seal of Biliteracy, graduating high school students must meet the following criteria:
A. Demonstrate proficiency in English by (1) meeting statewide minimum graduation requirements in English as established by the Washington State Board of Education and (2) meeting state standards on the reading and writing or English language arts assessment; and
B. Demonstrate proficiency in one or more world language. For purposes of this section, “world language” is defined as a language other than English, including American Sign Language, Latin, and Native American or other indigenous languages or dialects. The fact that a language is not written is not a barrier to receive the Seal of Biliteracy. Proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following methods:
1. Passing a foreign language Advanced Placement exam with a score of 3 or higher;
2. Passing an International Baccalaureate exam with a score of 4 or higher;
3. Demonstrating intermediate-mid level or higher proficiency on the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines using assessments approved by OSPI for mastery/competency-based credits; and demonstrating proficiency using reading assessments approved by OSPI (when developed);
4. Qualifying for four mastery/competency-based credits by demonstrating proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading the world language at intermediate-mid level or higher on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines according to Policy 2409, Credit for Competency-Proficiency; or
5. Demonstrating proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading the world language through other national or international assessments approved by OSPI. OSPI and the federally recognized Tribes in Washington have a language proficiency system in place to determine tribal language proficiency with students for the Seal of Biliteracy.

VIII. GRADUATION CEREMONIES

If students fulfill graduation requirements by the end of the last term of their senior year, they may participate in graduation ceremonies. Each student will be awarded a diploma after satisfactorily completing local and state requirements. Upon request, each graduating student will receive a final transcript. Each student will be notified of this opportunity at least one month prior to the close of the school term.

Any student receiving services under an IEP who will continue to receive such services between the ages of 18 and 21 will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies and activities after four years of high school attendance with his or her age-appropriate peers and receive a certificate of attendance.

The district will allow students who are members of a federally recognized tribe to wear traditional tribal regalia or objects of Native American cultural significance along with or attached to a gown at the graduation ceremony or related school event. Additionally, the district will not require such students to wear a cap if it is incompatible with the regalia or significant object they have chosen to wear. Otherwise, the district has discretion to determine the conduct for graduation ceremonies as described below.

 
Graduation ceremonies will be conducted in the following manner:
A. Each participating student must participate in the graduation ceremony rehearsal. Each student who participates will purchase or rent the proper cap and gown as designated by the school administration and the class advisor and officers.
B. With the exception of allowing tribal regalia as stated above, caps and gowns will be worn in the proper manner, as designated by the school administration and class advisor.
C. Students who participate will use good taste in their choice of accessories for their attire.
D. Each student who participates will cooperate with the class advisor and participate in all parts of the graduation ceremonies.
E. Failure to comply with the above requirements may forfeit a student's privilege to participate in the graduation ceremonies.

IX. WITHOLDING OF A DIPLOMA

The district may withhold a student's diploma until the student has made restitution for any school property the student has lost or willfully damaged. Upon payment for damages, or the equivalency through community service, the district will release the diploma or transcript. When the damages or fines do not exceed $100, the student or his/her parents will have the right to an appeal using the same process as used for short-term suspension as defined in Policy 3241, Student Discipline. When damages are in excess of $100, the appeal process for long-term suspension as defined in Policy 3241, Student Discipline, will apply. The district may, in its discretion, choose to offer in-school suspension in these circumstances.

In the event that the district has imposed other forms of corrective action for violations of school rules, the district may deny the student’s participation in graduation ceremonies. Such exclusion from graduation ceremonies is regarded as a school suspension. In such instances, the district will grant the diploma.

Revised: January 2021; December 2021