Requirements for a Standard Diploma

To graduate with a Standard Diploma, students must earn 22 standard units of credit described in the table below, and of the standard units of credit earned, students will earn the following number of verified units of credit:

1. Students entering 9th grade for the first time before 2018-2019: English-two; math-one; science-one; history/social science-one; and one additional verified unit of credit of the student’s own choosing.
2. Students entering the 9th grade for the first time in 2018-2019 or later: English-two; math-one; science-one; history/social science-one.

Students who complete the requirements for a standard diploma with a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or better at the end of their senior year will receive a Board of Education Seal on the diploma.

1. Credits Required for Graduation with a Standard Diploma
   1. Earn a board-approved career and technical education credential. The credential could include, but not be limited to, the successful completion of an industry certification, state license exam, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness skills assessment.
2. Successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing.
   Beginning with students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2018-2019, a student must also:
   1. Complete an Advanced Placement, honors, or International Baccalaureate course or earn a career and technical education credential that has been 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 earn credit. 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 skills assessment.
   2. Successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing.

_{¹Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.} 

_{²Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least two different science disciplines: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics, or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.} 

_{³Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and one course in either world history or geography or both. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.} 

_{⁴For the 2011-2012 academic year and beyond: Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of Quality.} 

_{⁵A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career and technical education, economics or other areas as prescribed by the board in 8VAC20-131-110.} 

_{⁶For the 2011-2012 academic year and beyond: Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for (i) the student-selected verified credit and (ii) either a science or history and social science verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the Board of Education as an additional test to verify student achievement.} 

_{⁷For the 2011-2012 academic year and beyond: Pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education.}

Additional Requirements for Graduation

• 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.