Lawmakers Clear Up High School Graduation Requirements

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Florida lawmakers approved a bill clarify high school graduation requirements based on what year a student entered ninth grade.

Last year the Legislature approved a bill which overhauled Florida’s high school graduation requirements. The bill maintains a standard diploma and created two new diploma tracks; a scholar track for students considering competitive universities; and a career-focused track for students who want to earn industry certifications before graduation.

But the bill created some confusion about what graduation requirements applied to which students.

So lawmakers approved a another bill Thursday to clear things up. For the record, according to legislative analysts:

Students entering grade nine before the 2010 – 2011 school year: Four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in U.S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economies is required; one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts; one credit in physical education; and eight credits in electives.

Students entering grade nine in the 2010 – 2011 school year: Four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry school year; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in U.S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economies is required; one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts; one credit in physical education; and eight credits in electives.

Students entering grade nine in the 2011 – 2012 school year: Four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies of which one credit in World History, one credit in U. S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economies is required; one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts; one credit in physical education; eight credits in electives; and one online course.

Students entering grade nine in the 2012 – 2013 school year: The requirements are four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies of which one credit in world History, one credit in U.S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economies is required.

Students entering grade nine in the 2013-2014 school year would choose from the new graduation requirements. Those are explained here.