GUIDANCE FAQ

• Where can I find the Standard Course of Study for School Counselors?
• How many Career-Technical Education pathways does North Carolina have?
• What are the different diplomas that North Carolina offers?
• What are the high school exit options for students who do not meet graduation requirements?
• Can local boards of education enact policy that exceeds the state graduation requirements?
• May students complete both the College Tech Prep and College University Prep course of study?
• Does a student have to take a mathematics sequence to meet the graduation requirements?
• What are a students choices in the Arts concentration in Career Preparation?
• Are internship and apprenticeship considered to be completer courses in Career Prep and College Tech Prep?
• Does American Sign Language count as a student's second language requirement in College/University Prep?
• May a student count credit earned in an on-line course toward graduation requirements?
• What is the policy for electronically generated high school transcripts?
• Must a student be dual enrolled to receive college credit while they are still in high school?
• What is the North Carolina Academic Scholars Program?

Where can I find the Standard Course of Study for School Counselors?

The Standard Course of Study for School Counselors can be found at the Department of Public Instruction web site (www.ncpublicschools.org) under the heading of Curriculum. At the Curriculum page, click on the word "Guidance." The complete curriculum guide for K-12 Comprehensive School Counseling is also at this location.

How many Career-Technical Education pathways does North Carolina have?

North Carolina recognizes ten Career-Technical Education pathways. Individual school systems, however, may not offer all of them. Information about the pathways can be found at the Department of Public Education web site (www.ncpublicschools.org) under Agency Web Sites.

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What are the different diplomas that North Carolina offers?

North Carolina has only one diploma, but four different courses of study that a student may choose among to earn a diploma. Students may choose Career Preparation, College Tech Preparation, or College/University Preparation. A fourth course of study, Occupational Preparation, may be taken by students for whom the standard course of study is determined not to be appropriate. These Occupational Preparation students must also have an Individual Education Plan.

What are the high school exit options for students who do not meet graduation requirements?

A student who does not meet graduation requirements may exit high school with a Graduate Certificate. During the fall of 2009, the State Board of Education (SBE) amended its policy on exit documents for students leaving high school without a diploma. Historically Board policy referenced a Graduation Certificate and a Certificate of Achievement. After lengthy deliberation, the SBE voted to eliminate the Certificate of Achievement and maintain the Graduation Certificate as well as the right to participate in graduation exercises for selected students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who are impacted by this action are those for whom the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) is too rigorous and are enrolled in content courses specifically designed to meet their needs; OCS students who may have met the course requirements for graduation but may need longer to complete the 360 hours of competitive employment; or students who have met the course requirements but may not have successfully completed all testing requirements. Please note that this action does not limit a local Board’s authority to grant the Graduation Certificate to any student for whom a principal feels such action is appropriate.

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Can local boards of education enact policy that exceeds the state graduation requirements?

North Carolina State Board of Education policy number HSP-L-001 provides clear and specific authority to local boards of education to exceed the minimum requirements for graduation established by the State Board of Education.

May students complete both the College Tech Prep and College University Prep course of study?

Yes. Students may complete a College Tech Prep pathway and take the additional mathematics and second language requirements to complete requirements in both courses of study.

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Does a student have to take a mathematics sequence to meet the graduation requirements?

Yes, the mathematics sequence for College Tech Prep and College/ University Prep are very specific.
A student in College Tech Prep must take one of these sequences:

• Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or
• Algebra I, Technical Math I, Technical Math II or
• Integrated Mathematics I, Integrated Mathematics II, or Integrated Mathematics III

A College/University Prep student may take one of these sequences:

• Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and a higher level math course with Algebra II as a prerequisite or
• Integrated Mathematics I, Integrated Mathematics II, Integrated Mathematics III, and a credit in a mathematics course beyond Integrated Mathematics III.

What are a students choices in the Arts concentration in Career Preparation?

A student must take four credits in one of the following areas: dance, music, theatre arts, or visual arts. They may not mix classes form all of the disciplines. Each successive class in a discipline should be a higher level course. Internships in an area of arts education can count toward meeting the four credits in the arts discipline.

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Are internship and apprenticeship considered to be completer courses in Career Prep and College Tech Prep?

Internship is considered an exploratory course and is not eligible for completer status. However, apprenticeship is a completer course. Students must have a total of four technical credits, including at least one that is a completer course, in both of these courses of study.

Does American Sign Language count as a student's second language requirement in College/University Prep?

Yes, American Sign Language may be used as a students second language to met state graduation requirements. However, a student should check with the college or university form whom they are seeking admission to be sure that it meets specific requirements of that school.

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May a student count credit earned in an on-line course toward graduation requirements?

Yes. The course must have prior approval for the school principal before the student enrolls in the course. If the on-line course is used to replace one for which there is an end of course test, the student must take that end of course test to receive credit for the on-line course.

What is the policy for electronically generated high school transcripts?

The North Carolina State Board of Education policy for transcripts can be found at the Department of Public Instruction web site (www.ncpublicschools.org). It is explained in State Board Policy HSP-L-004.

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Must a student be dual enrolled to receive college credit while they are still in high school?

A student must be dual enrolled fir they wish to receive BOTH college and high school credit for the course.

What is the North Carolina Academic Scholars Program?

Student who successfully complete the requirements of a academically challenging high school program will be named North Carolina Academic Scholars and receive special recognition. This policy is part of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The requirements for this recognition can be found at the Department of Public Instruction web site (www.ncpublicschools.org). Look in the Curriculum section.

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