Supporting Your Child’s Graduation
“We know it is not easy, but you are doing a great job for the future of your children.” – Ohio Teacher
High school graduation is an important first step for young adults to explore their college and career options. To make sure students are prepared for future success, Ohio schools have requirements that students must complete to graduate. You can help your child graduate and prepare for their future. Review the graduation requirements and the different ways you can support them. You can also reach out to the English Language teacher, school counselor, other parents, or a family liaison for help.
The Importance of High School Graduation
- Career opportunities: Graduating high school is a first step to start a career. Most jobs or career training programs require a high school diploma.
- Higher education: To attend a college or university, a high school diploma is needed. This also makes it easier to get help to pay for university. There are costs to attend university and parents should encourage their children to look for ways to pay.
- Life skills: High school gives students important life skills. Some of these skills include critical thinking, communication, time management, and problem solving. They are important for success in any career and daily life.
- Social development: In high school, students develop important social skills. They make friends, join school groups, and do good for their community.
- Personal achievement: Graduating high school is a big accomplishment. It can help your child feel confident and proud.
- Earn more money: Over time, high school graduates may earn more than those who do not graduate. They may also have better career opportunities.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate high school in Ohio, students need to complete three main requirements:
1. Complete the required classes.
Completed classes are counted as credits. Students must get a passing grade in the required classes in subjects, like English, math, and science.
2. Pass state tests.
Students need to get a certain score on state tests for math, English, or other tests accepted by the school. Students who do not pass the tests must be given the option to try again and meet this requirement in other ways, if necessary.
3. Get two diploma seals.
Students must show that they are prepared for their future by getting two diploma seals. Each seal represents certain skills or knowledge. There are 12 different seals students can choose from. Students can even get a seal for joining the military or for other service. For students who speak more than one language, the Seal of Biliteracy may be a good option. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to continue to develop their home language or other languages along with English. Students who work outside of school and have a job may earn the OhioMeansJobs seal. These are just some examples. There are many different ways to
earn the diploma seals.
You can learn about what your child needs to graduate high school and much more on the
Ohio Graduation Requirements website from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
Paths to Graduation
Here are some examples of ways your child can graduate:
Transfer Students
Transfer students are those who previously attended school in another state or country. Students who transfer into an Ohio public high school must follow the Ohio graduation requirements to get a high school diploma. In some cases, schools may provide transfer students with more options or flexibility to meet the requirements.
Transfer Credits
To graduate, high school students must complete a certain number of credits in different subjects. Students who transfer to a new school from another state or country may need to have credits transferred. The types of courses and schooling students receive is different in other states and countries. Schools need to review the courses and schoolwork transfer students have already completed. Transfer credits are how schools may count the classes students completed in the past. There are some steps to consider:
- Transfer students need to share information with their new school about their past schooling. This can include transcripts, grades, and information about the courses they have taken.
- The school receiving this information usually uses it to decide how the student’s past schooling counts toward the courses and credits needed to graduate high school.
- Students transferring from another country may need to provide additional information to help the school understand the courses and education system they previously attended.
- The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce can assist in this process, but the school makes final decisions on how previous schoolwork is counted.
You can learn more about transferring to an Ohio high school on the Transfer Students and Graduation Requirements page of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website.
Other Options
College Credit Plus
College Credit Plus is a program in Ohio where students in grades 7-12 can take classes from colleges or universities. They can earn high school and college credits at the same time. This program helps students get ready for their career and future education. It offers many choices for students who are ready for college, at little or no cost to families or students.
High School Equivalency
If a student is not going to high school anymore, they can still get their diploma by taking a test.
Students may be able to take this test in other languages, like Spanish. It is important to check what language options are available.
But first, they need to be a certain age and meet some requirements. Schools cannot force students to go to this program. Students and their families must make that choice.
Students who are 18 years or older can take the test if they:
- Left their high school
- Do not have a high school diploma
Students who are 16 or 17 years old can take the test if they:
The student needs to have proof that they officially left high school. They do this by providing a withdrawal form signed by a school official.
- Have permission from their family to take the test
The student needs to have proof that they have permission. This can be a signed letter from their parents or caregivers.
Learn about the test options on the Ohio Options for Adult Diploma and Ohio High School Equivalence page of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website and on the Get Your GED® page of the USA Hello website.
How can you support your child?
Ask your child about school and how they are doing.
Ask your child about their day and how they are doing in general. Showing interest in their daily life will help you earn your child’s trust.
- Check on your child’s mental health. Going to school and preparing for graduation can be stressful. Make sure your child is feeling well and managing their stress.
- High school can also be stressful. Make your child feel like you understand how they are feeling and that you are proud of them.
- Remind your child about the benefits of graduation.
- Talk with your child about their hopes, dreams, and interests.
USA Hello provides more tips for helping children in school.
Support your child’s attendance.
- Talk about how important it is to go to school every day.
- If your child is working and going to school, help them create a plan and routines that help them attend school every day and complete their schoolwork.
- Help your child develop daily routines, like finishing homework and getting enough sleep.
- When your child needs to miss school, call the school. Encourage your child to ask teachers what they can do to make up the class time they miss.
- Check on your child’s attendance.
For more information on supporting your child’s attendance, access the handout for families on the Attendance Works website. Also access our Understanding Attendance page.
School Counselor
The school counselor oversees student’s class schedules, monitoring student progress and attendance. School counselors can also help students learn about their college and career options. School counselors can also help support your child’s mental health.
Questions you can ask the school counselor:
- What are the graduation requirements?
- How do students know if they are on track to graduate?
- Where can students find out about their college and career options?
- Where can students get help if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
- Where can students get help with their schoolwork?
- What resources are available to students who are not on track to graduate?
- What resources are available to students who are working or have many responsibilities outside of school?
General Education Teachers
In high school, students have a teacher for subjects like science, math, English, and any other subjects your child learns about. You or your child can ask them about your child’s grades and their academic progress. If you or your child are concerned about being on track to graduate, general education teachers and the English language teachers may be able to help them get back on track.
Questions you can ask teachers:
- How is my child doing in class?
- How can I support my child’s learning at home?
- What resources are available for students who need help?
- Is my child on track to pass your class?
English Language Teacher
The English language teacher instructs English to students who get extra help to improve their English skills. The English language teacher will know about your child’s progress learning English. They may also work with other teachers to plan your child’s learning.
Questions you can ask the English language teacher:
- How does getting English language supports affect my child’s graduation?
- How does the school help students who are English Learners graduate?
- When are students tested on their English skills?
- How can I support my child’s English skills at home?
To learn more about how students can get extra help to improve their English skills, visit our English Language Supports at School page.
Encourage your child to explore career and college opportunities.
It is important to ask your child about what careers or subjects they are interested in. Have them explore what career and college options are available Your child may feel more motivated in school when they know it will lead them to a degree or career they are interested in. Learn more on our Preparing Your Child for a Bright Future page.
Consider having your child participate in programs or events where they can learn about college and career opportunities. To learn about what programs may be available, ask your child’s teacher or the school.
You can learn more about how to help your child explore college and career opportunities on our Preparing Your Child for a Brighter Future page.
Other Questions You Can Ask
Here are some questions you can ask your child’s school.
- How can I or my child track their progress to graduation?
- What are the requirements for my child to graduate?
- Are there any alternative diploma options available?
- Are there any exemptions or waivers available for certain graduation requirements?
- What resources are available to help my child meet graduation requirements, such as tutoring or credit recovery programs?
- What happens if my child does not meet all the graduation requirements?
Graduation Checklist
Use this checklist to help you and your child track their progress toward graduation.
Ohio Graduation Requirements
1. Complete the required classes. In Ohio, students must complete a minimum number of credits in specific classes to graduate.
| Options |
Credits |
Notes |
| ❏ Elective |
5 credits |
|
| ❏ English language arts |
4 credits |
|
| ❏ Mathematics |
4 credits |
|
| ❏ Science |
3 credits |
|
| ❏ Social studies |
3 credits |
|
| ❏ Physical education |
½ credit |
|
| ❏ Health |
½ credit |
|
2. Pass state tests. Students need to get certain scores on state tests for math, English, or other tests accepted by the school. Students who do not pass the test must be given the option to try again or to meet this requirement in other ways.
3. Earn two diploma seals. Students need to earn two diploma seals (at least one state-defined) that demonstrate their academic and career skills. They can choose from 12 seals.
| Options (choose two; at least one State-Defined) |
Notes |
| ❏ Seal of Biliteracy (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Fine and Performing Arts Seal (Locally-Defined) |
|
| ❏ OhioMeansJobs Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Citizenship Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Honors Diploma Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Science Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ College-Ready Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Industry-Recognized Credential Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Student Engagement Seal (Locally-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Community Service Seal (Locally-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Military Enlistment Seal (State-Defined) |
|
| ❏ Technology Seal (State-Defined) |
|
Download: The Graduation checklist (Word) or The Graduation checklist (PDF)
Additional Resources
Access the
Glossary to learn more about specific terms.
These resources aim to bolster academic, student wellness, and college and career outcomes for Ohio's English Learners. Resources were created through a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and The Ohio State University's Center on Education and Training for Employment along with a dedicated group of family advocates, community leaders, school district staff, and teachers.
Last Modified: 12/4/2024 4:14:42 PM