• What are the social studies graduation requirements for students in Ohio?

• What content must be covered to meet the world history course requirement?
• What courses can be used to meet this requirement?
• Will there be a state assessment for world history?

• What content needs to be taught to comply with the historical documents law?
• How does the historical documents law impact the makeup of Ohio's State Tests for social studies?

• Where is the student practice test site?
• Where can I find released questions for Ohio's State Tests?
• Where can I find the test specifications for Ohio's State Tests for social studies?
• If a student takes an Advanced Placement course, is the student exempt from taking Ohio's State Tests for social studies?

The graduation requirements in social studies, as outlined in Ohio law, require: 

• One-half unit in American history; 
• One-half unit of American government; and 
• Two units of social studies, and of the two units of instruction, at least one-half unit of instruction in the study of world history and civilizations must be included. 

Please visit the graduation requirements webpage for more information. 

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World history and civilizations courses should include the study of multiple civilizations outside the U.S., with an element of historical examination. Human geography, world issues, world history, and other world studies courses may meet the requirement.

Civilizations are defined by: 

• Cities; 
• Well-organized central governments; 
• Complex religions; 
• Job specialization; 
• Social classes; 
• Arts and architecture; 
• Public works; and 
• ​Writing. 

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• Ohio’s Learning Standards courses for Modern World History and Contemporary World Issues;
• Advanced Placement World History;
• Advanced Placement European History;
• Advanced Placement Human Geography;
• International Baccalaureate History.

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In compliance with Ohio law, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce includes references to the historical documents in its high school American history and American government course syllabi and Model Curricula. The documents also are referenced in the Model Curricula for grades 4 and 8. The law requires the instruction of the following documents in their original text and historical context: 

• The Declaration of Independence; 
• The Northwest Ordinance; 
• The Constitution of the United States and its amendments, with emphasis on the Bill of Rights; and 
• The Ohio Constitution. 

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Per Ohio law, a student enrolled in Advanced Placement United States history, Advanced Placement United States government and politics, International Baccalaureate history, or International Baccalaureate government is exempt from taking Ohio's State Tests for social studies only if the student takes the respective examination. If a student enrolled in one of these courses elects not to take the examination, the student will be required to take the Ohio test. 

If a student is taking a College Credit Plus course, a student may not be required to take Ohio's State Tests for social studies if they earn a letter grade of B or higher as stated in Ohio law.

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