GUIDANCE FAQ

GUIDANCE :: FAQ


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.

School Counselors may find additional resources for the NC Standard Course of Study including the NC Guidance Essential Standards on the NCDPI School Counseling Wikispace and NCDPI School Counseling LiveBinder.

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What are the NC Future Ready Graduation requirements?

From the time students enter kindergarten, they are preparing for high school graduation. To make sure students stay on track for a high school diploma, please remember that every high school student must meet state course and credit requirements in addition to any local requirements. To view the state course and credit requirements, click this link and look for the section that matches when a student entered ninth grade for the first time. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/curriculum/home/graduationrequirements.pdf School counselors are available to answer any questions you may have about what is needed to reach the goal of high school graduation.

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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.

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

Yes, the mathematics sequence to meet the Future Ready Core Graduation requirements may include:

  • 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.

A student in rare instances may be able to take an alternative math course sequence as outlined under the State Board of Education policy. Please see your school counselor for more information.

Visit: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/curriculum/home/graduationrequirements.pdf to view the Future-Ready Core requirements for all subject areas.

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What elective credits are required under the Future Ready Core Graduation requirements?

6 Elective Units - Two electives must be any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education or Second Language. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a 4-unit concentration. For example:

6 Credits required
2 elective credits of any combination from either:

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE)
  • Arts Education
  • World Languages

4 elective credits strongly recommended (four course concentration) from one of the following:

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE)*
  • JROTC
  • Arts Education (e.g. dance, music, theater arts, visual arts)
  • Any other subject area (e.g. social studies, science, mathematics, English)

Examples of electives include JROTC and other courses that are of interest to the student.

* For additional information on CTE courses that meet requirements for selected Courses of Study, refer to the CTE Clusters chart located at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/cte/standards/careerclusters2012.pdf.

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

The mission of NC secondary Career and Technical Education is to empower all students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders in a global economy. There are sixteen career clusters. The link below provides more detailed information about the various options of the NC Career Clusters. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/cte/standards/2012/career-clusters.pdf

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Is there a graduation requirement for arts education?

Effective with entering students in 2009-2010 - The Future-Ready Core Course of Study for Graduation Framework requires:

6 Elective Units - Two electives must be any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education or Second Language

Students are strongly encouraged to complete a 4-unit concentration, which may be completed in arts education.

Visit: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/curriculum/home/graduationrequirements.pdf to view the Future-Ready Core requirements for all subject areas.

Some school systems (LEAs) have a local arts education requirement for high school graduation.

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What are the requirements for a concentration in arts education in the Future-Ready Core?

It is recommended that concentrations in the arts reflect a sequence of courses in an arts discipline to include at least one advanced level course. Courses at level II or beyond are considered advanced with the current course coding system. The completion of the concentration should lead to a culminating project or capstone experience which allows the student to demonstrate advanced skills in the arts discipline and which may also be used as part of a professional portfolio for entrance into institutions of higher education or a career in the arts. producing a student-written play, choreographing a dance for a public performance, publishing and conducting a student-written musical composition, producing a student exhibition of original artwork, etc.

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Is there an arts education requirement for the NC Scholars Program?

Beginning with students who enter the ninth grade for the first time in or after 2009-2010, there is no specific arts education requirement. Students may choose to take elective credits constituting a concentration in arts education (or any other subject area) and may also take arts education electives in their junior and/or senior years which carry 5 or 6 points (such as honors, AP, or IB courses). Visit: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/scholars to view the previous Academic Scholar requirements and new changes, as adopted by the State Board of Education in July 2009.

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Is there a World/Foreign Language requirement to graduate from high school?

Not to graduate from high school unless it is locally required. However, students must take a minimum of 2 credits in the same language, showing a progression, such as Level I and Level II of a world language course to be accepted into a college or university. Students are strongly recommended to take World Languages to be globally competitive and career and college ready upon graduation for high school.

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Does Latin count as a language for the graduation and college admissions requirement?

Yes

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Does Spanish for Native Speakers count for the graduation and college admissions requirement?

Yes

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Does ESL Language Arts count as a foreign language credit?

No

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What about native speakers of languages other than English?

Under the present SBE policy, native speakers of the language still need 2 units of foreign language or demonstration of proficiency as determined by the local education unit. Native speakers can be enrolled in their own language at any level depending on their placement in high school and meet the requirement.

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How does a district note the "demonstration of proficiency" on the transcript via NC WISE?

When an LEA has determined that a student has demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English, it can be shown on the transcript in the following way:

  1. Create a second course number with no credit attached for a language other than English. Specify "P" as a final mark for the course. This will allow the demonstration of proficiency to show on the transcript.
  2. An override will need to be done to allow the issuance of the College/University Prep Course of Study diploma.

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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 student's second language to meet state graduation requirements. However, a student should check with the college or university form that they are seeking admission to be sure that it meets specific requirements of that school. Check with your local school district to see if it will meet high school graduation requirements.

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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.

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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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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 eligible for the Career and College Promise Program to be dual enrolled if they wish to receive BOTH college and high school credit for the course.

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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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