How do high school credits work

A year of study is two semesters of study in the same or related subject area. In general, the course is about 50 minutes per day, five days a week, for two semesters.

However, local school districts determine the actual organization of instructional time depending on their master schedule. Variances apply depending on holidays, professional development days, and block scheduling. We are relocating to a new school district in California and my child is in high school.

Will my child be able to graduate at the same time as his current classmates? While California has a set of 13 minimum course requirements for high school graduation, each local school district in California may add its own requirements. Therefore, it is very important that students entering a new California school district contact the new high school as soon as possible to have their progress toward fulfilling the graduation requirements of the new district reviewed.

The local school district officials can evaluate the transcripts and advise you on when your child can graduate. Do I have to complete Algebra I to graduate? Yes, beginning in the school year, all students must successfully complete coursework that meets or exceeds the rigor of the content standards of Algebra I prior to receiving a diploma of graduation from a high school.

Do students with disabilities have to complete Algebra I in order to earn a high school diploma? Yes, students with disabilities have to meet all state and local graduation requirements. Algebra I is a state graduation requirement. Your local school district may require additional math courses.

Some students with disabilities, due to the specific nature of their disability, may request a waiver of the Algebra I graduation requirement if, after all support services have been provided, the student cannot pass the course.

My child has completed all but a couple of courses required for high school graduation but the school counselor says he or she must enroll in five courses each semester. Is this true? This depends on the circumstances. California Education Code Section states: "Commencing with the first semester or quarter that begins after January 1, , pupils in grade 12 shall be enrolled in at least five courses each semester or the equivalent number of courses per quarter.

I have completed all of the courses required for high school graduation but the school says I must complete a senior project in order to graduate.

Is this a state requirement for graduation? The California Education Code currently does not require that students complete a senior project. However, in California, local school districts have the authority and responsibility for determining graduation requirements. Therefore, local school districts do have the authority to require students to complete a senior project in order to receive a high school diploma.

The high school counselor at my child's school has told my child that he or she does not have enough credits to graduate. What are my options for getting this situation resolved? All parents and guardians have the right to be fully informed about their children's academic progress toward graduation.

As a parent or guardian, you should schedule a conference with the counselor. If the issue cannot be resolved to your satisfaction at this level, then make an appointment with the school administrator, usually the principal, in charge. If you still have concerns after this meeting, your next option is to contact the school district office and speak with the administrators, including the superintendent, in charge of the academic program.

If the administrators indicate that it is local district policy that sets the requirements, then you may appeal to your local school board. At this point, you should request the Uniform Complaint Procedures Updated Feb and maintain written records of your efforts to resolve your issues.

Local school boards are citizen boards that have primary authority to set the policies of the school district. If they indicate that the California Education Code specifies the requirements, ask for the specific code section to which they are referring.

For more information on the Education Code, see California Law. If a student with disabilities is unable to meet all state and local graduation requirements, can they be recognized for their efforts? The EC allows a district to award certificates or documents of achievement or completion to students with IEPs who are unable to meet all state and local graduation requirements.

I participate in a competitive sport that is not directly associated with my high school. Can I use my time practicing and participating in this sport to satisfy the physical education graduation requirement?

The authority to determine course equivalencies resides with the local school districts. Because California public schools are seeking to align their physical education programs with the Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools , the use of outside-of-school sports as equivalent credit is discouraged.

For example, a state might require students to earn a minimum of 18 credits to be eligible for a high school diploma, but a school may choose to increase credit requirements to 24 credits or higher. While credit requirements vary from state to state and school to school, they generally outline minimum requirements in the following subject areas: English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, physical education, technology, and world languages.

For a related discussion, see core course of study. In recent years, the traditional course credit has become the object of reform, particularly as an extension of proficiency-based learning or of efforts to change assessment strategies, grading practices, graduation requirements, and core courses of study in schools. Some states have sought to raise educational expectations, increase instructional time in certain subject areas, and improve student preparation by raising minimum credit requirements.

As a way to promote stronger student preparation in science and social studies, states may decide to increase credit requirements. Other subject areas, such as technology, health, or world language, for example, have also been subject to increases in minimum credit requirements. Districts and schools may also elect to increase credit requirements independently, and some education organizations have recommended stronger credit requirements as a strategy for promoting higher academic achievement and more prepared graduates.

In effect, increasing credit requirements in a given subject area increases the amount of time students will be taught, which increases the likelihood that they will be better educated in that subject area. Critics of course credit may argue, however, that credit-based systems allow students to pass courses, earn credits, and get promoted from one grade level to the next even though they may have not acquired essential knowledge and skills, or they may not be adequately prepared for the next grade or for higher-level courses.

Talk to your high school guidance counselor about the college credit programs available in your school. College credits can be earned while still in high school in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common:. Advanced Placement — Students gain college credit by achieving a sufficient score on a test taken after completion of the class.

Start College Now — In Wisconsin, students can take classes at a postsecondary institution and also obtain high school credit if the class is approved by the local school board. High School Academies — A form of Dual Credit, students take a cluster of classes in a single subject area for both high school and college credit, sometimes also earning an industry-recognized certificate.

Find out what programs your school offers and get started on your college education early! Apply online or call with questions. The Right Choice. Tips on Managing a Successful Career Change. Program Delivery Methods. Schedule a visit Apply today Chat with us.