STANDARD COURSE
OF STUDY
STANDARD COURSE
OF STUDYSTATE OF NORTH CAROLINA GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
SBE Revised April 1999
North Carolina high school students are expected to meet specific state requirements in order to receive a high school diploma. These requirements apply to all students across the state and help ensure that all graduates have met certain standards. These standards for achievement and courses are designed to prepare students for higher education and for work as adults.
In addition to state standards, local school boards may set other standards to graduate.
Ninth graders entering high school for the first time in 2000-01 also are required to select and complete one of four courses of study before they graduate. This marks the first time that North Carolina has required students to meet this standard. Educators hope that this will spur students to consider more carefully their future opportunities and to plan accordingly.
Graduation Requirements - plan ahead!
There are three types of requirements that students must meet: credits, Course of Study and tests. Students, with their parents' input, need to decide if they are planning for a career immediately after high school graduation, if the student plans to pursue a two-year or community college degree, or if the student will pursue a four-year college or university degree. If undecided, students should take the most rigorous course of study in which they can be successful, particularly in mathematics. Students need to ensure that they understand the education and other preparation required for the career they choose to pursue as adults.
Students and their parents should review this plan annually to determine any changes needed.
Credits and Courses of Study
Students must select a Course of Study to guide the courses they take during high school. Three of the four Courses of Study require that students complete 20 course credits as well as the NC High School Exit Exam. These Courses of Study - Career Prep, College Tech Prep, and College/University Prep - are designed for students to go directly to work or to a community or technical college or to a four-year college or university. A fourth Course of Study, the Occupational Course of Study, is designed for certain students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Plan. Most students, regardless of Course of Study, take credits in the same core curricular areas. In fact, the Courses of Study provide enough flexibility for students to modify their Course if they choose to do so.
The Career Prep, College Tech Prep, and College/University Prep Courses of Study require a minimum of
4 credits in English
3 credits in science
* 3 credits in mathematics
1 credit in Health/Physical Education electives
3 credits in social studies
Please see chart on Page xix for additional information about credit requirements.
* The College/University Prep Courses of Study requires 4 credits in Mathematics for first time ninth graders beginning in 2002-03.
NC COURSE OF STUDY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS*
| Content Area | CAREER PREP Course of Study Requirements | COLLEGE TECH PREP** Course of Study Requirements | COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY PREP Course of Study (UNC 4-yr college) Requirements | OCCUPATIONAL*** Course of Study Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 Credits I, II, III, IV | 4 Credits I, II, III, IV | 4 Credits I, II, III, IV | 4 Credits - Occupational English I, II, III, IV |
| Mathematics | 3 Credits Including Algebra I | 3 Credits ** Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, OR Algebra I, Technical Math I & II, OR Integrated Mathematics I, II, III | 4 Credits (4th credit effective for first time ninth graders in 2002-2003) Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and higher level math course with Algebra II as prerequisite OR Integrated Mathematics I,II,III and a credit beyond Integrated Mathematics III | 3 Credits Occupational mathematics I, II, III |
| Science | 3 Credits A Physical Science course, Biology, Earth/ Environmental Science | 3 Credits A Physical Science course related to career pathway (CP), Biology, Earth/ Environmental Science | 3 Credits A Physical Science course, Biology, Earth/ Environmental Science | 2 Credits Life Skills Science I, II |
| Social Studies | 3 Credits Government/ Economics (ELPS), US History, World Studies | 3 Credits Government/ Economics (ELPS), US History, World Studies | 3 Credits Government/ Economics (ELPS), US History, World Studies (2 courses to meet UNC minimum admission requirements-US History & 1 elective) | 2 Credits Social Studies I (Government/ US History) Social Studies II (Self-Advocacy/Problem Solving) |
| Second Language | Not required | Not required ** | 2 Credits in the same language | Not required |
| Computer Skills | No specific course required, students must demonstrate proficiency through state testing (starting with graduating class of 2001) | No specific course required, students must demonstrate proficiency through state testing (starting with graduation class of 2001) | No specific course required, students must demonstrate proficiency through state testing (starting with graduation class of 2001) | Computer proficiency as specified in IEP |
| Health and Physical Education | 1 Credit Health/ Physical Education | 1 Credit Health/ Physical Education | 1 Credit Health/ Physical Education | 1 Credit Health/ Physical Education |
| Career Technical | 4 Credits in Career/ Technical Select courses appropriate for career pathway to include a second level (advanced) course | 4 Credits Select courses appropriate for career pathway to include a second level (advanced) course | Not required | 4 Credits Career/ Technical Education electives |
| Arts Education (Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts) | OR 4 Credits in an Arts Discipline Select courses appropriate for an arts education pathway to include an advanced course (Recommend at least one credit in an arts discipline and/or requirement by local decision (for students not taking an arts education pathway) |
Recommend at least one credit in an arts discipline and/or requirement by local decision | Recommend at least one credit in an arts discipline and/or requirement by local decision | Recommend at least one credit in an arts discipline and/or requirement by local decision |
| Electives or other requirements***** | 2 Elective Credits and other
credits designated by LEA Proficiency on Exit Exam (Effective for entering ninth graders 2001-2002) |
2 Elective Credits and other
credits designated by LEA
Proficiency on Exit Exam (Effective for entering ninth graders 2001-2002) |
3 Elective Credits and other credits designated by LEA Proficiency on Exit Exam (Effective for entering ninth graders 2001-2002) | Occupational Preparation: 6
Credits: Occupational
Preparation I,II,III,IV**** Elective credits/ completion of IEP objectives/ Career Portfolio Required/ No Exit Exam |
| TOTAL | 20 Credits plus any local requirements | 20 Credits plus any local requirements | 20 Credits plus any local requirements | 22 Credits plus any local requirements |
*Effective for ninth graders entering for the first time in 2000-01. The additional
mathematics credit in college/university prep is for entering ninth graders
of 2002-03.
**A student pursuing a college tech prep course of study may meet the requirements
of a college/university course of study by completing 2 credits in the same
second language and one additional unit in mathematics.
***This course of study shall be made available for certain students with disabilities
who have an IEP, beginning in 2000-01.
****Completion of 300 hours of school-based training, 240 hours of community-based
training, and 360 hours of paid employment.
*****Examples of electives include JROTC and other courses that are of interest
to the student.
<<Back | Table of Contents | Next >>