Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Required Courses of Study

Graduation Requirements

GRADUATION GUIDELINES AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE TRADITIONAL 24.0 CREDIT DIPLOMA

The following chart presents the current course requirements for high school graduation, as well as those required by Florida's state universities, Florida Academic/Medallion Scholars Award, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award course requirements.

 Each box represents the number of courses (credits), which must be successfully completed. 

 ADDITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the course requirements outlined previously, graduation requirements include:

(1) passing the Grade 10 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT); (*)

(2) earning a cumulative grade point average of 2.0;

(3) demonstrating mastery of minimum performance standards including basic computer literacy skills; and

(4) completing a community service project.

(Letters in parentheses refer to the notes starting below.)

1. English I, II, III, and IV or English I-IV through ESOL may be used to meet the language arts requirement. Additional ESOL credit may be counted as elective credit.
2. Three of which must have included substantia.1 writing requirements.
3. Algebra I (regular or honors) should be completed by the end of grade 9, Geometry (regular or honors) by the end of grade 10, and a course equivalent to Algebra I or higher by the end of grade 11. Pacesetter Mathematics I, II, and III will also meet the graduation requirement for mathematics. Informal Geometry meets the graduation requirement for mathematics, but does not meet the minimum requirement for entrance to the State University System. A four-year recommended mathematics sequence includes Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus.
4. At the Algebra I and above levels, excluding Informal Geometry. Pacesetters Mathematics I, II, and III will also fulfill this requirement.
5. Earth/Space Science (regular or honors) should be completed by the end of grade 9. Biology I (regular or honors) by the end of grade 10, and Chemistry I (regular or honors) or Physical Science by the end of grade 11. Integrated Science will also meet the graduation requirement for science by taking Integrated Science I and two additional science courses. A four-year recommended science sequence includes Earth/Space Science, Biology I, Chemistry I, and Physics I (regular or honors).
6. Two of the three credits must include a substantial laboratory component. Integrated Science courses will meet the science requirement for graduation and for admission to the Florida State University System by taking Integrated Science I, II, and III, or by taking Integrated Science I and two additional science courses.
7. To include one credit in American history, one credit in World History, one-half credit in Economics, and one-half credit in American Government
8. To include study related to history, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and geography
9. The three credits must include any combination of the Academic Core Courses in Social Studies as listed in the Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook.
10. Any two sequential courses in the same language, including American Sign Language, or demonstrated foreign language proficiency at a level equal to two years of high school foreign language
11. Any art, dance, theatre, music, speech, or debate course classified as performing fine arts (performing and visual arts)
12. Any applied technology (vocational) course, any district-approved annual computer education course, or Journalism I. II, III. or IV
13. The life management skills course must be taken in grade 9 or 10.
14. The one-credit physical education requirement is fulfilled by successfully completing the on semester Personal Fitness course or Adaptive Physical Education and any other approved physical education semester course In the Florida Course Code Directory. Participation in an interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons will satisfy the on-credit physical education requirement, if the student passes the Competency Exam on Personal Fitness with a score of "C" or higher. If the student satisfies the physical education requirement through the interscholastic sport option, the student must substitute one elective credit for the physical education credit since no credit is awarded for an interscholastic junior varsity or varsity sport. Completion of one semester with a grade on "C" or better in a marching band class or in a physical activity class, e.g. eurhythmics, flag corps, dance corps, that requires participation in marching bank activities as an extra-curricular activity for a full marching band season shall satisfy a one-half credit requirement in physical education. This one- half credit may NOT be used to satisfy the one semester personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual education plan (IEP) or 504 plan.
15. Four elective credits from courses identified in the Department of Education Course Code Directory as level two or higher in one or more of the following subject areas: English, mathematics, natural science, social science, and foreign language; or two credits from courses identified in the Department of Education Course Code Directory as level two or higher in one or more of the following subject areas: English, mathematics, natural science, social science, and foreign language and no more than two credits from the following categories of courses: courses identified following categories of courses: courses identified in the Department of Education Course Code Directory as ROTC and military training or as level two courses in art-visual arts, dance, drama-theatre arts, language arts, or music.
16. Any course listed in the current Florida Course Code Directory, which is appropriate for grade 9 or above may fulfill an elective credit for graduation except Study Hall and other courses identified as noncredit (NC), Adult Basic education, and GED preparation. In selecting their elective, students are encouraged to focus on a special interest or a career goal.
17. A minimum of three Vocational Job-Preparatory or Technology Education Program credits in one vocational program.

NOTES:

1)       These are minimum requirements. The principal, with the written approval of the Region Superintendent and the Superintendent of Schools or designee, has the authority to establish additional requirements. In each instance, the school shall establish school level procedures for waiving such requirements with a demonstrated educational need. In order to facilitate students' course selection, principals are authorized to permit students to take required courses at grade levels other than at the specified grade level indicated in the "Pupil Progression Plan," in Florida Statute, Florida Board of Education, or School Board rule.

2)       Students who satisfactorily complete selected applied technology (vocational) job preparatory programs may substitute one or more of the following courses for a required language arts, mathematics, or science course: Business English I, Business English II, Business Mathematics, General Science, Biology Technology, and/or Anatomy & Physiology. Applied Technology (vocational) course substitutions shall not exceed two (2) credits each subject area. In addition, a program which has been used to substitute in one subject area may not be used to substitute for any other subject area.

3)       Students are required to receive instruction in the areas of human growth and development, substance abuse education, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. This instruction is incorporated into various courses.

4)       Advanced students who have taken Earth/Space Science in the 8th grade will enroll in Biology in the 9^th grade and Physical Science or Chemistry in the 10th grade.

5)       Students will not be granted credit toward graduation for any Level 1 course, as designated in the Florida Course Code Directory, unless the student's assessment indicates a more rigorous course of study would be inappropriate, in which case a written assessment of the need must be included in the student's Individual Educational Plan or in an Academic Improvement Plan, signed by the principal, the guidance counselor, and the parent/guardian of the student. Level 1 courses may be taken for credit toward a standard diploma if they are approved in an Individual Educational Plan or a Academic Improvement Plan. Remedial/Compensatory courses can he counted only as electives.

Graduation Options

The following chart illustrates the various Graduation Options and their requirements.

2004-2005 GRADUATION OPTIONS AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

**Three year graduation options may only be considered if the following pre-requirements have been met: Passing Score on both sections of the FCAT, 2.0 GPA, and a scheduled meeting with parents, grade level counselor, and student to sign 18 Credit Graduation contract.  The 18 Credit Option can only be selected in the Spring of each year after FCAT results have been received.