P.O. Box 2360
Honolulu, HI 96804(808) 586-3332
Fax: (808) 586-3433
Email the BOE
| BOE Policies |
| Title: Graduation and Related Series Policy #: 4540 |  |
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Note: This version of Board Policy 4540, Graduation and Related, shall apply to students graduating in School Years 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009. See Board Policy 4540, High School Graduation Requirements and Commencement, which shall take effect School Year 2006-2007, and shall apply to students beginning with the incoming ninth grade class.
4540
- GRADUATION AND RELATED
POLICY
A. Requirements for Graduation. The minimum requirements for graduation from high school, grades 9-12, are:
1. Twenty-two (22) credits of the following courses.
a. English 4.0 credits
Social Studies 4.0 credits
Mathematics 3.0 credits
Science 3.0 credits
Physical Education 1.0 credits
Health 0.5 credits
Guidance 0.5 credits
b. Elective credits (6)
2. Demonstrated mastery of essential competencies.
a. Competencies are the basic standards of proficiency required of students who have completed course and credit requirements.
b. Mastery shall be determined in accordance with established Department procedures.
B. Commencement Exercises. Commencement exercises may be scheduled any time after the last day of school for seniors. The last day of school for seniors shall be set by the Department. Students shall be permitted to participate in commencement exercises if they (1) meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate, (2) have fulfilled their financial obligations, and (3) meet other conditions, established by the Department, which meet the standards of clarity, reasonableness, and justifiability.
Former Code No. 5127
Approved: 5/47
Amended: 1/59, 6/59, 6/60, 9/60, 2/64, 8/78, 3/88, 3/97
Note: This version of Board Policy 4540, High School Graduation Requirements and Commencement, shall take effect School Year 2006-2007, and shall apply to students beginning with the incoming ninth grade class.
4540
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENCEMENT
POLICY
POLICY
A. Requirements for High School Graduation. The purpose of high school graduation requirements is to establish rigorous standards of learning that will enable all public school students to meet the vision of a Hawaii public school graduate. All Hawaii public school graduates will:
· Realize their individual goals and aspirations;
· Possess the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute positively and
compete in a global society;
· Exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and
· Pursue post-secondary education and/or careers without need for remediation.
Students who demonstrate proficiency in the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards and General Learner Outcomes in the required courses shall receive a high school diploma. Students who meet additional requirements established by the Board of Education shall receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma. Proficiency shall be determined in accordance with established Department of Education procedures.
The minimum course and credit requirements to receive a high school graduation diploma and the minimum course and credit requirements to receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma are:
Course Requirements | High School Diploma | Board of Education Recognition Diploma |
| English * | 4.0 credits | 4.0 credits |
| Social Studies ** | 4.0 credits | 4.0 credits |
| Mathematics | 3.0 credits | 3.0 credits |
| Science | 3.0 credits | 3.0 credits |
| World Language Fine Arts Career and Technical Education | 2.0 credits in one of the specified courses | 2.0 credits in one of the specified courses |
| Senior Project | Not required | 1.0 credit |
| Physical Education *** | 1.0 credit | 1.0 credit |
| Health | 0.5 credit | 0.5 credit |
| Personal/Transition Plan | 0.5 credit | 0.5 credit |
| Electives | 6.0 credits | 6.0 credits |
| Total | 24.0 credits | 25.0 credits |
* English shall include English Language Arts 1 (1.0 credit) and English Language Arts 2 (1.0 credit).
** Social Studies shall include Modern History of Hawaii (0.5 credit) and Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit).
*** Physical Education shall include required Physical Education (0.5 credit) and a required Physical Education elective (0.5 credit).
A Board of Education Recognition Diploma shall be issued to students who meet the course and credit requirements and attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
High school diplomas may be granted to 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds who have qualified for graduation through adult schools.
The graduation requirements for students with disabilities shall be determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
B. Commencement Exercises. Commencement exercises may be scheduled any time after the last day of school for seniors. The last day of school for seniors shall be set by the Department of Education. Students shall be permitted to participate in commencement exercises if they: (1) meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate; (2) have fulfilled their financial obligations; and (3) meet other conditions, established by the Department of Education, which meet the standards of clarity, reasonableness, and justifiability.
Former Code No. 5127
Approved: 5/47
Amended: 1/59, 6/59, 6/60, 9/60, 2/64, 8/78, 3/88, 3/97, 6/04
Note: This version of Board Policy 4540, High School Graduation Requirements and Commencement, shall take effect School Year 2009-2010, and shall apply to students beginning with the incoming ninth grade class.
4540
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND COMMENCEMENT
POLICY
A. Requirements for High School Graduation. The purpose of high school graduation requirements is to establish rigorous standards of learning that will enable all public school students to meet the vision of a Hawaii public school graduate. All Hawaii public school graduates will:
· Realize their individual goals and aspirations;
· Possess the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute positively and
compete in a global society;
· Exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and
· Pursue post-secondary education and/or careers without need for remediation.
Students who demonstrate proficiency in the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards and General Learner Outcomes in the required courses shall receive a high school diploma. Students who meet additional requirements established by the Board of Education shall receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma. Students who meet additional requirements established by the Board of Education and attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher shall receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma with Honors. Proficiency shall be determined in accordance with established Department of Education procedures.
The minimum course and credit requirements to receive a high school graduation diploma, the minimum course and credit requirements to receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma, and the minimum course and credit requirements to receive a Board of Education Recognition Diploma with Honors are:
Course Requirements | High School Diploma | Board of Education Recognition Diploma (Voluntary) | Board of Education Recognition Diploma with Honors (Voluntary) |
| English | 4.0 credits including English Language Arts 1 (1 credit) and ELA 2 (1 credit) | 4.0 credits English Language Arts 1 (1 credit), English Language Arts 2 (1 credit), and Expository Writing (0.5 credit) or the equivalent* | 4.0 credits English Language Arts 1 (1 credit), English Language Arts 2 (1 credit), and Expository Writing (0.5 credit) or the equivalent* |
| Social Studies | 4.0 credits including Modern History of Hawaii (0.5 credit) and Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit) | 4.0 credits including Modern History of Hawaii (0.5 credit) and Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit) | 4.0 credits including Modern History of Hawaii (0.5 credit) and Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit) |
| Mathematics | 3.0 credits | 4.0 credits including, as a minimum, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II or the equivalent | 4.0 credits including, as a minimum, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II or the equivalent |
| Science | 3.0 credits | 3.0 credits including 2.0 credits in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics | 3.0 credits including 2.0 credits in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics |
| World Language Fine Arts Career and Technical Education | 2.0 credits in one of the specified courses | 2.0 credits in one of the specified courses | 2.0 credits in one of the specified courses |
| Senior Project | Not required | 1.0 credit | 1.0 credit |
| Physical Education | 1.0 credit including required Physical Education (0.5 credit) and required Physical Education elective (0.5 credit) | 1.0 credit including required Physical Education (0.5 credit) and required Physical Education elective (0.5 credit) | 1.0 credit including required Physical Education (0.5 credit) and required Physical Education elective (0.5 credit) |
| Health | 0.5 credit | 0.5 credit | 0.5 credit |
| Personal/ Transition Plan | 0.5 credit | 0.5 credit | 0.5 credit |
| Electives | 6.0 credits | 5.0 credits | 5.0 credits |
| Total | 24.0 credits | 25.0 credits | 25.0 credits |
| Other | Meet standard on Algebra II End of Course Exam | Meet standard on Algebra II End of Course Exam |
*Advanced Placement Language and Composition, Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, and International Baccalaureate Language A1 Higher and Standard Levels can be used to meet the Expository Writing requirement.
A Board of Education Recognition Diploma shall be issued to students who meet the course and credit requirements.
A Board of Education Recognition Diploma with Honors shall be issued to students who meet the course and credit requirements and attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
High school diplomas may be granted to 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds who have qualified for graduation through adult schools.
The graduation requirements for a high school diploma for students with disabilities shall be the same as students without disabilities. The student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) shall determine the services and supports required by students with disabilities to pursue a high school diploma or a certificate of completion.
B. Commencement Exercises. Commencement exercises may be scheduled any time after the last day of school for seniors. The last day of school for seniors shall be set by the Department of Education. Students shall be permitted to participate in commencement exercises if they: (1) meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate; (2) have fulfilled their financial obligations; and (3) meet other conditions, established by the Department of Education, which meet the standards of clarity, reasonableness, and justifiability.
Former Code No. 5127
Approved: 5/47
Amended: 1/59, 6/59, 6/60, 9/60, 2/64, 8/78, 3/88, 3/97, 6/04, 03/06/08
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