2007 High School Graduation Requirements :: San Diego Unified School District

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2007 High School Graduation Requirements
The following requirements must be met by students in order to graduate during the 2006-07 school year.

California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE)

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CAHSEE is aligned to the standards in English/Language Arts through grade 10 and Mathematics through Algebra 1-2.

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All California public school students must pass the CAHSEE to receive a diploma. The CAHSEE has two parts:

•	Reading/writing section with both multiple-choice questions and a writing task, and
•	Mathematics section with multiple-choice questions.

All tenth-graders are required to take the exam in the spring on dates established by the California Department of Education. The reading/writing and math sections are given on separate days.

The test is not timed, but students can expect that both sections of the test will take approximately 5-1/2 hours to complete.

The first opportunity students have to take the CAHSEE is in the second half of grade 10. Students who do not pass the CAHSEE during this administration have up to five additional opportunities to pass the CAHSEE.

To ensure that students know and understand the state standards in these areas, and to provide support in passing these tests, the district offers aid during regular classroom instruction, in after-school programs, and in summer school.

Credit Requirements
44 semester credits are required in grades 9-12 with a minimum of a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in order to graduate. 32 of the 44 semester credits must be earned in grades 10-12.

Credit Requirements by Subject:

English: 8 Semester Credits

Includes 1 credit in a course that emphasizes American literature and 3 credits from the prescribed list of English courses contained in the district Course of Study. English credit will not be granted for drama, public speaking, or journalism. Drama qualifies for visual and performing arts credit; public speaking courses qualify for elective credit; and, journalism qualifies for practical arts credit. English as a Second Language (ESL) may be used to fulfill the 8-semester English requirement.

Mathematics: 6 Semester Credits

2 credits in Algebra, 2 credits in Geometry, and 2 additional math credits are required. These credits may be substituted with advanced-level courses.

Physical Education: 4 Semester Credits

Choices include physical education (PE), athletics, interscholastic sports, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps), marching band, cheer, and drill team. All ninth graders must be enrolled in PE.

Science: 6 Semester Credits

2 credits in Physical Science, 2 credits in Life Science, and 2 additional credits of UC-approved coursework. These credits may be substituted with advanced-level courses.

History/Social Sciences: 6 Semester Credits

2 credits in World History and Geography, 2 credits in U.S. History and Geography, and 1 credit each in Government and Economics or other approved electives. These credits may be substituted with advanced-level courses.

World Languages and Visual, Performing or Practical Arts: 3 Semester Credits in an Available Option

•	Option A: 2 semesters of a world language (a one-year course) and 1 semester of visual, performing, or practical arts, or
•	Option B: 2 visual or performing arts and 1 semester of practical arts. Visual and performing arts include courses in art, music, and drama/theater arts. Practical arts include courses in business education, consumer and family studies, industrial education, vocational and occupational programs, instructional television, journalism, and yearbook.

Electives: 11 Semester Credits

Additional credits needed to complete the required 44 semester credits may be earned by completing additional courses in subject areas specified above or by taking a Regional Occupational Program (ROP) course, a foreign language, or any other approved courses.

Senior Exhibition
All graduating seniors are required to present a Senior Exhibition as part of their graduation requirements. This is an opportunity for students to share how they have met academic and applied-learning standards. Please contact your school for their specific Senior Exhibition requirements.
>> Example. (Source: Patrick Henry High School)

Computer Literacy
All students must demonstrate proficiency in computer literacy in grades 7-12 by taking an approved course or successfully completing a district test.

Attendance
All students must attend 8 semesters in grades 9-12 for six periods daily unless the best interests of a student require a different plan. The principal and parent or guardian must approve an alternative student enrollment plan involving an accelerated program or a shortened-day schedule, planned for a student with the advice of a counselor. If a student's program is changed to fewer than six periods per day during the year, prior notification of a parent or guardian must be made.

Conduct
Each student must maintain a record of responsible citizenship. In order to participate in graduation ceremonies, students must meet a minimum standard of a 2.0 GPA in citizenship during their senior year. Seniors will be denied participation in graduation exercises and other senior activities for zero tolerance violations or activities resulting in a five-day suspension as seniors. A senior with a citizenship grade below 2.0 or a suspension of fewer than five days must appeal to the school appeal board to determine her/his level of participation in senior activities. The citizenship GPA is computed on a scale of E=4, G=3, S=2, N=1, U=0.

Grade-Point Average (GPA)
A GPA of 2.0 or higher in scholarship computed on the basis of A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0 is required. A GPA for graduation is computed on courses completed in grades 9-12. (Students should consult their school counselors for information about computing GPAs for repeated courses.) For Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, the GPA is computed on a five-point scale: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=1, F=0. Effective with the 2000-01 school year, students must take the College Board AP exam in order to receive weighted credit. Information on which courses are weighted on the five-point scale is available at school sites. A 2.0 GPA on a four-point scale in both scholarship and citizenship also is required for participation in co-curricular activities, including interscholastic athletics. Parents or guardians shall be advised of the availability of state funds to cover the costs of advanced placement examination fees pursuant to Section 52244 (California Codes, Education Code, Section 48980).

See also:

2007 Graduation Requirements Fact Sheet: English

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