Two additional graduation options available for the classes of 2018 and 2019
12/20/2018
Students who entered grade 9 after July 1, 2014, are the first to earn diplomas under the new graduation requirements. In addition to satisfying the high school curriculum requirements, students in Ohio must meet one of three existing pathways to earn a high school diploma.
To support the transition to new requirements, the General Assembly approved temporary graduation options for students in the class of 2018. Recent legislation extended additional graduation options to the classes of 2019 and 2020, as provided below. Please note, there are modifications to the criteria for the class of 2020.
The Department expects most students will meet one of the three existing pathways, and districts should continue to work with students, as appropriate, to meet these requirements. These options provide an opportunity for students who do not otherwise meet one of the three existing pathways to graduation to earn a diploma.
The two additional graduation options are:
Option 1 – Available to all students in the classes of 2018 and 2019.
Students entering grade 9 between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2016, are eligible to utilize the graduation options outlined below.
Students must take and pass courses that constitute the curriculum requirements and take all seven end-of-course exams. If the student receives a score of “1” or “2” on any math or English language arts test, the student must retake the test at least once while in high school.
Additionally, students must meet at least two of the below requirements:
- Attendance rate of 93 percent during the 12th-grade year;
- Earn a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in all courses completed during 12th grade (must complete at least four full-year, or equivalent, courses);
- Complete a capstone project during 12th grade that the district or school defines;
- During 12th grade, complete a work or community service experience totaling 120 hours that the district or school defines;
- Earn three or more College Credit Plus credits at any time during high school;
- Earn credit for an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course and earn an AP exam score of 3 or higher or IB exam score of 4 or higher at any time during high school;
- Earn a WorkKeys exam score of 3 on each of three test sections;
- Earn a State Board-approved industry-recognized credential or credentials that equal at least three points;
- Meet OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal requirements.
Option 2 – Available to students in the classes of 2018 and 2019 in career-technical programs.
Students must take and pass courses that constitute the curriculum requirements and take all seven end-of-course exams. Students must finish a career-technical program that includes at least four courses in a single career pathway and complete at least one of the options below:
- Earn a total score of Proficient or better based on all career-technical exams or test modules;
- Earn an industry-recognized credential or credentials that equal 12 points;
- Complete a workplace experience totaling 250 hours with evidence of positive evaluations.
Questions?
If you have questions about graduation requirements, call (614) 466-1317 or send an email to gradrequirements@education.ohio.gov.