- AP, Honors, IB, Dual Enrollment, Work-Based Learning, or CTE Credential - Students shall (i) complete an Advanced Placement, honors, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment course; or (ii) complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or (iii) earn a career and technical education credential approved by the board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the advanced studies diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment.
- Virtual Course - Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a non-credit-bearing course or a required or elective credit-bearing course that is offered online.
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Training - Students shall be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED), including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Students with an IEP or 504 Plan that documents that they cannot successfully complete this training shall be granted a waiver from this graduation requirement, as provided in 8VAC20-131-420 (B).
- Demonstration of the 5 C’s - In accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in Virginia’s 5 C’s : critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship.
- Sequential Electives
Two sequential electives are required for the Standard Diploma. Sequential electives may be in any discipline as long as the courses are not specifically required for graduation.- Courses used to satisfy the one unit of credit in a fine arts or career and technical education course may be used to partially satisfy this requirement.
- An exploratory course followed by an introductory course may not be used to satisfy the requirement.
- An introductory course followed by another level of the same course of study may be used.
- Sequential electives do not have to be taken in consecutive years.
- Locally Awarded Verified Credits for the Standard Diploma
- pass the high school course but not pass the related Standards of Learning test or approved substitute;
- score within a 375-399 scale score range on any administration of the Standards of Learning test after taking the test at least twice;
- have earned fewer than four of the verified credits required for the standard diploma; and
- demonstrate achievement in the academic content through the appeal process that follows.
In the appeal process for the student, a review panel will be established at the school consisting of an administrator, the School Counseling Director, and the Lead Teacher for the appropriate content area. The panel will review the student’s record for the course in question and grant the verified credit if the student has met the eligibility criteria listed above.
No more than three verified credits may be awarded through this process. Students entering 9th grade prior to 2018-2019 may not use locally awarded verified credits for the Advanced Studies Diploma. - Students entering 9th grade 2018-2019 and after may be awarded one locally verified credit in any subject to fulfill the requirements for verified credits for a standard or advanced diploma. To be eligible for locally awarded verified credit, a student must:
- pass the high school course but not pass the related Standards of Learning test or approved substitute;
- score within a 375-399 scale score range on any administration of the Standards of Learning test after taking the test at least twice;
- have earned fewer than four of the verified credits required for the standard diploma; and
- demonstrate achievement in the academic content through the appeal process that follows.
In the appeal process for the student, a review panel will be established at the school consisting of an administrator, the School Counseling Director, and the Lead Teacher for the appropriate content area. The panel will review the student’s record for the course in question and grant the verified credit if the student has met the eligibility criteria listed above.
- Locally Awarded Verified Credits for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who are eligible for credit accommodations, as stipulated in each student’s IEP (Individual Education Plan)/504 plan, may be awarded locally verified credits in English and mathematics. (All students who meet certain criteria may be eligible for locally awarded verified credits in science and social studies in accordance with section #3 above.) To be eligible to earn locally awarded verified credits in English, mathematics, science and social studies, a student with a disability must:- Pass the high school course;
- score within a 375-399 scale score range on any administration of the Standards of Learning test after taking the test at least twice; and
- demonstrate achievement in the academic content through an appeal process administered at the local level.
In the appeal process for the student, a review panel will be established by the Superintendent, or his/her designee. The panel will review the student’s record for the course in question and grant the verified credit if the student has met the eligibility criteria listed above. There is no set maximum number of certified credits that a student with a disability may be awarded through this process. Students may not use locally awarded verified credits for the Advanced Studies Diploma. Students entering 9th grade 2018-2019 and beyond may only use one locally awarded Verified Credit towards an Advanced Diploma.