BOARD POLICY Descriptor Code: IHF(2)
Graduation Requirements - 1993-1994
Students enrolled in the ninth grade prior to the 1993-94 school year will graduate under the
requirements that were in effect the year they entered the ninth grade. A minimum of 315 hours,
21 units, in grades 9-12 must be completed satisfactorily in order to meet the requirements for
graduation. Credit toward graduation is granted only for work completed in grades 9-12.
Students may meet requirements for a High School Diploma, Academic Diploma, or Advanced
Academic Diploma with Seals of Endorsement may be earned for College Preparatory, Fine
Arts, or Vocational Education. Students who complete their programs of study in a magnet
program environment will receive an appropriate Magnet Seal of Endorsement. Special
education students who complete the requirements of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
may receive a Special Education Diploma.
Credits shall be allocated for each diploma and seal of endorsement according to State Board
Policy 160-4-2.06. Carnegie unit credit shall be awarded only for courses that include concepts
and skills based on the state-mandated Quality Core Curriculum for grades 9-12.
ESOL
Two years of English credit may be earned through ESOL II and III. All other ESOL
designations will earn elective credit only.
Foreign Languages
Students whose native language is not English may be considered to have met the foreign
language requirement for the College Preparatory Seal of Endorsement (not to be counted toward
graduation requirements) by providing proof of oral and written proficiency in their native
language.
The College Preparatory Seal of Endorsement requires that the two years of the same foreign
language be sequential.
Students choosing Functional Language I and II must complete Intermediate Foreign Language
in order to fulfill the College Preparatory Seal of Endorsement requirement. A third or fourth
year of the same language is recommended.
Science
All students are required to take three units of science to include physical science, biology, and
another unit in science.
For the College Preparatory Seal of Endorsement, the State Department of Education provides
four options:
1. Biology, chemistry, physics
2. Physical science, biology, chemistry
3. Physical science, biology, physics
4. Physical science, biology, another laboratory science
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BOARD POLICY Descriptor Code: IHF(2)
Graduation Requirements - 1993-1994
Since colleges and universities continue to seek students who pursue a rigorous course of study,
options one and two are preferred by the DeKalb County School System. However, students
should determine the specific science requirements of the colleges to which they intend to apply
for admission.
Advanced Placement
For students who qualify, Advanced Placement course credit may be earned in the appropriate
academic area(s).
Additional Electives
Additional electives selected from the following disciplines are also strongly recommended:
1. A third course in foreign language or study in a second foreign language
2. Physical education, health, and safety education
3. Vocational education
4. Computer technology
5. Laboratory science course (an additional)
6. Fine arts (drama, music, visual arts)
7. Humanities
8. Traffic safety education
9. Social studies
10. Speech
Post-secondary Options/Joint Enrollment
Eligible high school students who qualify may enroll in a post-secondary institution and earn
both high school Carnegie unit credit and postsecondary credit hours. Students who attend
Georgia public colleges or universities will not be responsible for tuition for courses taken under
Post-secondary Options. Students who attend private colleges or universities in Georgia under a
Joint Enrollment agreement will be responsible for the cost of such enrollment. This provision
became effective for eligible students in the 1993-94 school year. (Policy Code 6410)
Transfer Credit
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BOARD POLICY Descriptor Code: IHF(2)
Graduation Requirements - 1993-1994
The DeKalb County Board of Education shall accept student course credit earned in a school
accredited by one of the following accrediting agencies. The school shall have been accredited at
the time the credit was earned.
1. Georgia Accrediting Commission
2. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS)
3. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
4. Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC)
5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
7. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
The Board shall not substitute courses and exempt students from the required secondary
minimum core curriculum course requirements unless the student transferred from an accredited
secondary school.
A student who wishes to have credit granted for courses taken at a non-accredited elementary or
secondary school or home study program shall be enrolled on probationary status based on the
following criteria: (1) records of prior school(s) and/or home-study program, (2) satisfactory
performance of the student for one or more grading periods, or (3) by evaluation in specific
subject areas.
Carnegie Unit
A Carnegie unit shall represent satisfactory completion of instruction in a subject for two
semesters or one school year. A unit is based on a minimum of 150 clock hours during the
regular school year and 130 clock hours during summer school.
Requirements for High School Diploma
Ninth graders enrolled in the 1993-94 school term and all subsequent classes must meet the
attendance requirements, earn required number of Carnegie units, and pass the state-mandated
graduation assessment.
Requirements for High School Certificate of Performance
Ninth graders enrolled in the 1993-94 school term and all subsequent classes must meet the
attendance requirements and earn the required number of Carnegie units in order to receive a
high school certificate of performance.
Local Authority and Responsibility
The DeKalb County Board of Education has established instructional support services and
delivery services to uphold the multiple criteria for high school graduation:
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BOARD POLICY Descriptor Code: IHF(2)
Graduation Requirements - 1993-1994
To provide an ongoing guidance component beginning with the ninth grade for
familiarizing the students with graduation requirements and for examining the likely
impact of individual career objectives on the program of work they plan to follow.
To provide annual advisement sessions to report progress and offer alternatives in
meeting graduation requirements and career objectives.
To provide record keeping and reporting services that document student progress toward
graduation and include information for the school, parents, and students.
To provide diagnostic and continuous evaluation services that measure individual
student progress in meeting competency expectations for graduation.
To provide instructional programs, curriculum and planned course guides, and remedial
opportunities to assist each student in meeting graduation requirements.
To provide appropriate curriculum and assessment procedures for students who have
been identified as having disabilities that prevent them from meeting the prescribed
competency performance requirements.
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