HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PROGRAMS OVERVIEW

Florida students may choose from the three graduation programs

the traditional 24-credit program (GRADES 11 + 12)
the traditional 26-credit program (GRADES 9 + 10)
a three-year, 18-credit college preparatory program
a three-year, 18-credit career preparatory program.

All graduation paths include opportunities to take rigorous academic courses designed to prepare students for their future academic and career choices. And all students, regardless of graduation program, must still earn a specific grade point average on a 4.0 scale and achieve passing scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in Reading and Mathematics (all grades) and Writing (Class of 2010 and thereafter) in order to graduate with a standard diploma. However, the two three-year programs are significantly different from the traditional 26-credit program.

THE TRADITIONAL 24-CREDIT PROGRAM

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 11 + 12 IN 2008 – 2009

This program requires students to take 24 credits in subject areas such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, practical/performing fine arts, life management skills, and personal fitness. This program offers students the chance to take 8.5 elective credits. Students have the flexibility to take rigorous academic courses to meet college/university entrance requirements, take fine arts and music courses, and take career and technical courses within this program. Foreign language credit is not required for this program, although it is recommended for community college preparation and is required for admission to Florida’s state universities.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Language Arts ( English) 4 credits

Mathematics 3 credits

Science 3 credits

Social Studies 3 credits

World History (1 credit)

American History (1 credit)

Economics (1/2 credit)

American Government (1/2 credit)

Physical Education 1 credit

Personal Fitness (1/2 credit)

PE Elective class (1/2 credids)
Life Management Skills ½ credit

Practical and/or Performing Arts 1 credit

Electives 8.5 credits

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 24

FCAT Reading level 1and level 2 students will be enrolled in Intensive Reading classes. Please note that this course does not count toward the English graduation requirement, but will be an elective credit.

Physical Education Waivers: (For grades 11 and 12 only)

To waive the Personal Fitness class and the elective Physical Education class, a student must participate for two full seasons in the interscholastic sport at the junior varsity level or varsity level AND pass a written personal fitness competency test with a grade of “C” or better. The student will not receive course credit using this option.
To waive the Physical Education elective class, a student may participate for one semester in a marching band class and earn a grade of “C” or better. The student must still take the .50 Personal Fitness course.

To earn a standard high school diploma students must also pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in Reading and Mathematics (all grades) and Writing (Class of 2010 and thereafter) and obtain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

TRADITIONAL 26-CREDIT PROGRAM

THESE GUIDELINES ARE FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 9 + 10 IN 2008- 2009

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Language Arts ( English) 4 credits

Mathematics 4 credits

Science 4 credits

Social Studies 4 credits including

World History (1 credit)

American History (1 credit)

Economics (1/2 credit)

American Government (1/2 credit)

HOPE - Health Opportunities through Physical Education 1 credit

Career Research and Decision Making ½ credit

Fine Arts or Visual Arts ½ credit

Electives 7.5 credits

The accelerated graduation program requires fewer credits than the traditional 24 or 26-credit program; however, it focuses more on academic courses, which means students take fewer elective courses. Unlike the traditional 24 or 26-credit program, the three-year college preparatory program requires students to earn two credits in a foreign language. Students must earn at least six of the 18 required credits in specified rigorous level courses and maintain a cumulative weighted grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with a weighted or unweighted grade that earns at least a 3.0 or its equivalent in each of the 18 required credits for the college preparatory program. It also requires higher-level mathematics courses than does the 26-credit program and the three-year career preparatory program. The credits required by this program must satisfy the minimum standards for admission into Florida’s state universities.

This accelerated graduation program requires fewer credits than the traditional 24 or 26-credit program; however, it focuses more on academic courses, which means students take fewer elective courses. Unlike the traditional 24 or 26-credit program, the three-year career preparatory program requires students to earn specific credits in a single vocational or career education program. It requires students to maintain a cumulative weighted grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with a weighted or unweighted grade that earns at least a 2.0 or its equivalent in each of the 18 required credits for the career preparatory program. The requirements of the program are designed to prepare students for entrance into a technical center or community college for career preparation or for entrance into the workforce.