Standard Diploma: Minimum Course & Credit Requirements
News & Announcements
A webinar, entitled Standard Diploma Credit Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, has been added to the list of resources explaining alternatives for these students in meeting the requirements for a Standard Diploma, when the Modified Standard Diploma is no longer an option.
To graduate with a Standard Diploma, a student must earn at least 22 standard units of credit by passing required courses and electives, and earn at least six verified credits by passing end-of-course SOL tests or other assessments approved by the Board of Education.
Beginning with students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2013-2014, a student must also:
- Earn a board-approved career and technical education credential to graduate with a Standard Diploma; and
- Successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing.
The school counselor can advise on available courses to fulfill the requirements for a Standard Diploma.
Approved Courses:
- Approved Courses – Effective for Students Who Entered Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2010-2011 and Beyond (PDF)
- Approved Courses – Effective for Students Who Entered Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2003-2004 through 2009-2010 (PDF)
NOTE: The Modified Standard Diploma will not be an option for students with disabilities who enter the ninth grade for the first time beginning in 2013-2014. Credit accommodations allow students with disabilities who previously would have pursued a Modified Standard Diploma to earn a Standard Diploma.
| Standard Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-50.B) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Discipline Area | Standard Credits: effective with first-time ninth graders in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011 |
Standard Credits: effective with first-time ninth graders in 2011-2012 and beyond | Verified Credits: effective for first-time ninth graders in 2003-2004 and beyond |
| English | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Mathematics [Note 1] |
3 | 3 | 1 |
| Laboratory Science [Notes 2 & 6] |
3 | 3 | 1 |
| History & Social Sciences [Notes 3 & 6] |
3 | 3 | 1 |
| Health & Physical Education | 2 | 2 | |
| Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education | 1 | ||
| Foreign Language, Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education [Note 7] |
2 | ||
| Economics and Personal Finance | 1 | ||
| Electives [Note 4] |
6 | 4 | |
| Student Selected Test [ Note 5] |
1 | ||
| Total | 22 | 22 | 6 |
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of algebra and shall include at least two course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or other mathematics courses above the level of algebra and geometry. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses 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.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least two different science disciplines: earth sciences, biology, chemistry or physics. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses 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.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses 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 may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses 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.
- Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of Quality.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career and technical education or other areas as prescribed by the Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: A 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 8 VAC 20-131-110.
- 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 (1) the student selected verified credit and (2) 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.
- For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Pursuant to Section 22.1-253.13:4, Code of Virginia, credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education.
Electives
- Sequential Electives – Effective with the graduating class of 2003, students who wish to receive a Standard or Modified Standard Diploma must successfully complete two sequential electives. On February 5, 2002, the Board of Education approved Guidelines for Sequential Electives for the Standard and Modified Standard Diploma (PDF).
- 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.
- For career and technical education electives, check with the Office of Career and Technical Education at (804) 225-2051.
- 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.
- Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education – The Standard, Advanced Studies, and Modified Standard Diplomas each contain a requirement for one standard unit of credit in Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education. The Standards of Accreditation do not require that courses used to satisfy the requirement of Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education be approved by the Board. Therefore, local school officials should use their own judgment in determining which courses students take to satisfy this requirement.
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