The Standard Diploma requires twenty-two (22) credits for students entering ninth grade in 2018-2019 and beyond. Of the 22 credits, five (5) must be verified credits as follows: two (2) English, one (1) math, one (1) science, and one (1) social studies.
Standard Diploma Course Requirements for Students Entering Ninth Grade in 2018-2019 and Beyond
| Subject Area | Standard Credits | Verified Credits | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 2 | N/A |
| Mathematics | 3 | 1 | Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: algebra I, geometry, algebra functions, and data analysis, algebra II, or other mathematics courses approved by the board to satisfy this requirement. An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a mathematics course credit. |
| Laboratory Science | 3 | 1 |
Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selection from at least two different science disciplines: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics, or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses that incorporate Standards of Learning content from multiple academic areas. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a science course credit. Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for either a laboratory science or history and social science verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the board as an additional test to verify student achievement. |
| History and Social Sciences | 3 | 1 |
Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include Virginia and U.S. history, Virginia and U.S. government, and one course in either world history or geography or both. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for either a laboratory science or history and social science verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the board as an additional test to verify student achievement. |
| Health and Physical Education | 2 | 0 | N/A |
| World Language, Fine Arts or Career and Technical Ed | 2 | 0 | Credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education. An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a career and technical course credit. |
| Economics & Personal Finance | 1 | 0 | N/A |
| Electives | 4 | 0 | Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives. |
| Total | 22 | 5 | N/A |
Additional Requirements for Graduation
- AP, Honors, IB, Dual Enrollment, Work-Based Learning, or CTE Credential - Students shall (i) complete an Advanced Placement, honors, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment course; or (ii) complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or (iii) earn a career and technical education credential approved by the board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the advanced studies diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment.
- Virtual Course - Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a non-credit-bearing course or a required or elective credit-bearing course that is offered online.
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Training - Students shall be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED), including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.