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Graduation Requirements

College Preparatory/Work Ready Curriculum for High School Graduation
(Title 70 O.S. § 11-103.6)
Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2006-07 school year, in order to graduate from a public high school accredited by the State Board of Education with a standard diploma, students shall complete the following college preparatory/work ready curriculum units or sets of competencies at the secondary level. In lieu of the requirements of the college preparatory/work ready curriculum for high school graduation, a student may enroll in the core curriculum for high school graduation, upon written approval of the parent or legal guardian of the student.

4 Units English
to include Grammar, Composition, Literature, or any English course approved for college admission requirements;

3 Units Mathematics
limited to Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, Advanced Placement Statistics, or any mathematics course with content and/or rigor above Algebra I and approved for college admission requirements;

3 Units Laboratory Science
limited to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or any laboratory science course with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology and approved for college admission requirements;

3 Units History and Citizenship Skills
including one unit of American History, one-half unit of Oklahoma History, one-half unit of United States Government and one unit from the subjects of History, Government, Geography, Economics, Civics, or non-Western culture and approved for college admission requirements;

2 Units of the same Foreign or non-English language, or 2 Units Computer Technology
approved for college admission requirements, whether taught at a high school or a technology center school, including computer programming, hardware, and business computer applications, such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding keyboarding or typing courses;

1 Additional Unit
selected from the courses listed above or career and technology education courses approved for college admission requirements; and

1 Unit or Set of Competencies of Fine Arts such as music, art, or drama, or 1 Unit or Set of Competencies of Speech

The local school board’s graduation requirements may exceed the state graduation requirements of 23 units.

For more information: Counseling, SDE, (405) 521-3549 and/or Accreditation, SDE, (405) 521-3333.

To meet the graduation requirements, local school district options may include courses taken by concurrent enrollment, Advanced Placement or correspondence, or courses bearing different titles. School districts shall strongly encourage students to complete two units or sets of competencies of foreign languages as part of the core curriculum for high school graduation. Local school district requirements may exceed state graduation requirements.


Core Curriculum for High School Graduation
(Title 70 O.S. § 11-103.6 and State Board of Education Regulations)
Students who entered the ninth grade prior to the 2006-07 school year shall enroll in the core curriculum for high school graduation.

4 Units or Sets of Competencies Language Arts
1 Grammar and Composition, and
3 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: American Literature, English Literature, World Literature, Advanced English courses, or other English courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above grammar and composition.

3 Units or Sets of Competencies Mathematics
1 Algebra I or Algebra I taught in a contextual methodology, and
2 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: Algebra II, Geometry or Geometry taught in a contextual methodology, Trigonometry, Math Analysis or Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics and/or Probability, Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Mathematics of Finance*, Intermediate Algebra*; contextual mathematics courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a (1) comprehensive high school, or (2) technology center school when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher, and approved by the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; mathematics courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; or other mathematics courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Algebra I.

3 Units or Sets of Competencies Science
1 Biology I or Biology I taught in a contextual methodology, and
2 in the areas of life, physical, or earth science or technology which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: Chemistry I, Physics, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physical Science, Earth Science, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Astronomy, Applied Biology/Chemistry, Applied Physics, Principles of Technology, qualified agricultural education courses (including but not limited to Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Science, and Animal Science); contextual science courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a (1) comprehensive high school, or (2) technology center school when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher, and approved by the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; science courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; or other science courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology I.

3 Units or Sets of Competencies Social Studies
1 United States History,
1/2 to 1 United States Government,
1/2 Oklahoma History, and
1/2 to 1 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: World History, Geography, Economics, Anthropology, or other social studies courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above United States History, United States Government, and Oklahoma History.

2 Units or Sets of Competencies The Arts
which may include, but are not limited to courses in Visual Arts and General Music.

8 Electives

23 Total Credits (Units or Sets of Competencies)

* Contact School Improvement, SDE (405) 521-3361, to obtain the curriculum outline.

Career and Technology Education also offers academic credit options, such as: Computer Science allowed for high school math credit qualified Agriculture Education courses for high school science, math and science, and Anatomy and Physiology (science) credit allowed for certain health science courses. For more information, contact your school counselor or your local Career Technology Center.


Glossary Of Terms

  • A Carnegie Unit of credit is given for the successful completion of a course that meets 40 minutes a day, five days per week, for at least 36 weeks , or the equivalent of 120 clock hours within the school year.
  • Sets of competencies are the skills and competencies specified in the Priority Academic Student Skills, or other skills and competencies adopted by the State Board of Education.
  • Rigor means a level of difficulty that is appropriate for the grade level and that meets state and national standards.
  • Contextual methodology means academic content and skills taught be utilizing real-world problems and projects in such a way that helps students understand the application of knowledge.