Diploma Requirements

The New Oregon High School Diploma

In January of 2007, the State Board of Education voted to adopt new high school graduation requirements.

These new requirements are designed to better prepare each student for success in college, work, and citizenship. To earn a diploma, students will need to successfully complete the credit requirements, demonstrate proficiency in essential skills, and meet the personalized learning requirements. And students will have the option to earn credit for proficiency. The changes to the diploma will be phased in over the coming seven years.

Oregon Diploma Credit Requirements

OREGON DIPLOMA CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
Credit Requirements (24 total) English: 4 credits Math: 3 credits (at the algebra 1 level and higher) Science: 3 credits (scientific inquiry with lab experiences) Social Science: 3 credits Health: 1 credit PE: 1 credit Second Language/Art/Career & Technical Education: 3 credits Electives: 6 credits

What has changed?

Number of credits: The minimum number of credits needed to graduate was raised from 22 credits to 24 credits.
English: The number of English credits was raised from 3 credits to 4.
Math: The number of math credits required was raised from 2 credits to 3 and these 3 credits must be at the algebra I content level or above.
Science: The number of science credits was raised from 2 credits to 3.
Second Language / Art / Career & Technical Education: The number of credits required in this area (any combination of the subjects) was raised from 1 credit to 3.
Electives: The number of required electives was reduced from 9 credits to 6.

Please note: These refer to state-wide requirements and serve as a minimum for graduation. Local districts may have additional graduation requirements. For the most complete list of requirements your child will need to take to graduate, please contact your local high school.
Credit for Proficiency: All students will have the option to earn credit for demonstrating proficiency. This means that a student is given credit for successful demonstration of knowledge and skills that meets or exceeds defined levels of performance. Students may demonstrate proficiency through classroom work or documentation of learning experiences outside of school, or through a combination of these means. A task force is currently working to develop guidelines for school districts. Check with your local school district for details on this and when it will be fully implemented in your area.

Essential Skills

For the first time, the state will require that all students must demonstrate that they are proficient in certain “essential skills” – skills that are deemed critical for future success – before they are awarded the diploma. Essential skills are process skills that can be applied in a variety courses, subjects, experiences and settings. Students will have a variety of opportunities to demonstrate that they are proficient in these skills. Essential skills will be required for graduation in 2012. The Essential Skills Task Force is currently working on defining the skills listed below.

Read and interpret a variety of texts	Apply mathematics in a variety of settings
Write for a variety of purposes	Use technology
Speak and present publicly	Demonstrate civic and community engagement
Think critically and analytically	Demonstrate global literacy
Demonstrate career-related learning standards: communication, problem solving, personal management, teamwork, employment foundations, and career development.

Personalization of the Diploma

The following requirements personalize the diploma for each student and help students plan for their post-high school education and career goals.

Education Plan and Profile: Students develop a plan and profile to guide their learning and document progress toward their personal, career, and post-high school goals.

Career-Related Learning Standards: Students demonstrate knowledge and skills in personal management, problem solving, communication, teamwork, employment foundations, and career development.

Career-Related Learning Experiences: Students participate in experiences that connect classroom learning with real life experiences in the workplace, community, and/or school relevant to their education plan.

Extended Application: Students apply and extend their knowledge in new and complex situations related to the student’s personal career interests and post-high school goals through critical thinking, problem solving, or inquiry in real world contexts.

Timeline and Phase-In for the New Requirements

The changes to the diploma will be phased in over the coming seven years to allow students, families, schools and teachers to adequately prepare to meet these new requirements. The chart below shows when each change will come into effect and what you can expect for your child. The year in which changes come into effect are marked in light grey.

Subject	Current Credits 2007	Graduating Class of 2010 (10^th Graders in 2007-08)	Graduating Class of 2012 (8^th Graders in 2007-08)	Graduating Class of 2014 (6^th Graders in 2007-08)
English/Language Arts	3	4	4	4
Mathematics	2	3	3	3 - all at Algebra I level and above
Science	2	2	3	3
Social Sciences	3	3	3	3
Physical Education	1	1	1	1
Health	1	1	1	1
Second Language Arts Career and Technical Education (CTE)	1	1	3	3
Electives	9	9	6	6
Total Credits	22	24	24	24

Brought to you by the Oregon State Board of Education and Superintendent Susan Castillo