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Graduation Requirements
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To earn a high school diploma in Ohio, students must complete the state's required courses, then choose at least one of three pathways that will show readiness for college or career. Cincinnati Public Schools' students have three pathways to meet the state requirements to earn a high school diploma, which allows students to select which works best for them.
Students must meet requirements in the areas of Credits, Competency, and Readiness.
Some CPS high schools have additional requirements. See your counselor for additional information.
Up-to-date graduation requirements can be found on the Ohio Department of Education’s website.
OHIO GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
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1. CREDITS
Students must earn a minimum total of 20 credits in specified subjects and take required tests.
- English Language Arts: 4 credits
- Science: 3 credits
- Mathematics: 4 credits
- Social Studies: 3 credits
- Physical Education: ½ credit
- Health: ½ credit
- Electives: 5 credits
* Note: Some high schools may require additional credits for graduation. Please contact your school counselor for more information.
- English Language Arts: 4 credits
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2. COMPETENCY
Students must pass the Algebra I and English 2 Ohio State Tests OR choose 1 of 4 alternative pathways listed below.
*Note: Students who do not pass their first attempt on the required Ohio State Tests must retake the test(s) at least once before choosing an alternative pathway.
- Career Experience and Technical Skill
- Complete two options from list of seven; one must be a foundational option:
FOUNDATIONAL OPTIONS
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- Earn a cumulative score of proficient or higher on three or more WebXams in a single career pathway;
- Earn a 12-point approved industry-recognized credential or group of credentials totaling 12 points in a single career field;
- Complete a pre-apprenticeship program, which program should be recognized by the Ohio State Apprentice Council (OSAC), complete an OSAC registered apprenticeship in the student’s chosen career field, or show evidence of acceptance into an OSAC registered apprenticeship program after high school if the program requires a student to be 18 years of age or older.
- Obtain a state-issued license for practice in a vocation that requires an examination.
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SUPPORTING OPTIONS
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- Complete a 250-hour work-based learning experience with evidence of positive evaluations;
- Earn the workforce readiness score on WorkKeys; or
- Earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal.
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- Enlist in the Military
- Demonstrated by a contract with the military to enter upon graduation
- Complete College Coursework
- Earn credit for one college-level math and/or college-level English course through Ohio's free College Credit lus program
- ACT and/or SAT Remediation Free Test Score
- Career Experience and Technical Skill
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3. READINESS: GRADUATION SEALS
The state of Ohio has created 12 diploma seals for students to demonstrate academic and technical skills for college, careers, the military, or other professions. Each seal allows students to establish knowledge and skills essential for future success in pathways beyond high schools. Students must receive at least two seals, one of which must be state defined, in order to earn a diploma.
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Below you can learn more information about each Ohio Diploma Seal.
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Biliteracy
- Students must demonstrate proficiency in English and high levels of proficiency in at least one other world language
- Students can demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other world language through a series of test-based options
English Proficiency
Meet one of the following:
- Proficient level on English language arts: ELA I & ELA II– and just ELA II for graduates of the Class of 2023 and beyond);
- Remediation-free scores on the English and reading sections of one of the state-recognized college readiness examinations (currently the ACT or SAT English and reading sections);
- Earn a proficient level or higher on a Department-approved alternative assessment (currently the Iowa and TerraNova Tests); or
- Earn a score of proficient on the high school Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA).
Foreign, Classical Language or ASL Proficiency
Meet one of the following:
- Pass an AP foreign language examination with a score of 4 or higher; or
- Pass an I.B. foreign language examination with a score of 5 or higher (Higher Level) or 6 or higher (Standard Level); or
- Attain a score of Intermediate High or higher (http://www.actfl.org/) in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing the language, using Department-approved assessments; or
- Qualify for proficiency-based credits through Ohio’s credit flex program and attain a score of Intermediate High or higher (ACTFL) in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing using Department- approved assessments; or
- Earn a score equivalent to Intermediate High or higher (ACTFL) in interpersonal signing, presentational signing and demonstrating understanding of American Sign Language (ASL) on an ASL assessment approved by the Ohio Department of Education; or
- Attain a score equivalent to Intermediate High or higher (ACTFL) in interpretive reading and presentational writing on a classical language assessment approved by the Ohio Department of Education.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Foreign-Language/Ohio-Seal-of-Biliteracy
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Citizenship
American History
- Earn a score equivalent to proficient “2” on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test in US History
- Earn a “B” or higher in American History College Credit Plus course.
- Earn a score of proficient “3” on Ohio’s State Test in American History
- Earn a final course grade equivalent to a “B” or higher in American History
American Government
- Earn a score of proficient “3” on Ohio’s State Test in American Government
- Earn a final course grade equivalent to a “B” or higher in American Government
- Earn a score equivalent to proficient “2” on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test in US Government
- Earn a “B” or higher in American Government College Credit Plus course.
*Earn a score to be determined on the Social Studies Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%e2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Citizenship-Seal
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College Readiness
Earn remediation-free scores on the ACT or SAT. See below for current remediation-free scores:
English Language Arts
- ACT: Subscore 18+
- SAT (taken after 3/1/2016): Evidence-based Reading & Writing 480+
ELA Reading
- ACT: Subscore 22+
- SAT (taken after 3/1/2016): N/A
Mathematics
- ACT: Subscore 22+
- SAT (taken after 3/1/2016): 530+
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/College-Ready-Seal
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Community Service
CPS Defined/ Local
The community service involvement will include 60 hours of total involvement over the student’s 9-12th grade career.
This involvement will include planning for, execution of, and reflections on the projects.
Planning hours and activities must be documented and approved by the overseeing faculty club/project manager in hard copy form and preserved by uploading in the X2VOL dashboard (accessed through Naviance), or, if not available to the advisor, logged in the student’s PowerSchool Notes section.
Each school should identify an adult/ advisor who will track monitor community service projects/ hours.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Locally-Defined-Diploma-Seal
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CTE/Industry Recognized
Earn a 12-point approved industry-recognized credential or group of credentials totaling 12 points in a single career field.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Industry-Recognized-Credential-Seal
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Fine and Performing Arts
CPS Defined/ Local
Students meet the requirements in Fine/Performing Arts skills in one of the following ways:
Music
Option 1: Music Recital Performance
Option 2: Music Research Presentation
Option 3: Participation in Local Auditioned Music Group
Option 4: Music Composition Portfolio & Presentation
Option 5: Music Demo RecordingVisual Art
Option 1: Visual Art Portfolio & Presentation
Option 2: Visual Art Research PresentationTheater
Option 1: Participate in 2 musicals or theatrical productions either in a regular acting role or as a member of the stage crew in a school or community-based drama organization.Dance
Option 1: Dance Recital Performance
Option 2: Dance Research Project
Option 3: Participation in Local Dance Company or Dance StudioCoursework: Earn a B or higher in 2 or more non-introductory arts courses (semester or full-year) and submit a response using the Fine/Performing Arts reflection form.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Locally-Defined-Diploma-Seal
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Honors Diploma
Earn one of six Honors Diplomas outlined below:
- Academic Honors Diploma;
- International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma;
- Career-Tech Honors Diploma;
- STEM Honors Diploma;
- Arts Honors Diploma;
- Social Science and Civic Engagement Honors Diploma.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%e2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Honors-Seal
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Military Enlistment
Provide evidence that a student has enlisted in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; or Participate in an approved JROTC program.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Military-Entlistment-Seal
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Ohio Means Job Readiness
Demonstrate proficiency in each of 15 professional skills:
- Drug Free
- Reliability
- Punctuality
- Discipline
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Professionalism
- Learning Agility
- Critical Thinking/Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Creativity/Innovation
- Oral & Written Communication
- Digital Technology
- Global/Intercultural Fluency
- Career Management
Complete the OMJR form in at least 2 work environments. Have each skill validated by at least one mentor w/a minimum of 3 total mentors.
Links:
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/OhioMeansJobs-Readiness-Seal
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Science
1. Score proficient (3) or higher on the biology end-of-course exam;
2. Score at least equivalent to proficient (2) on appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or
3. Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an appropriate class taken through the College Credit Plus program.
4. Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an advanced science course:
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Chemistry, physics or other physical sciences;
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Advanced biology or other life sciences;
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Astronomy;
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Physical geology or other Earth or space science; and
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Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Earth, life or physical science courses.
5. Earn a 'Basic' score on the Science Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%e2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Science-Seal
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Student Engagement
CPS Defined/ Local
1. Qualify for a PE Waiver
- 2 FULL seasons of participation in interscholastic athletics, cheerleading, marching band, show-choir
- 2 FULL years participation in JROTC program; OR
2. 2 years of involvement, in their 9-12th grade years, in at least one 1 ILT-approved club (could be 1 year in one club and 1 year in another club or 1 year with meaningful engagement in 2 clubs).
3. Participate in 2 musicals or theatrical productions either in a regular acting role (from the beginning of the production) or as a member of the stage crew in a school club.
4. Submit a proposal for board approval of a club or activity that students/faculty feel meet the criteria for the Student-Engagement local seal This approval process will take place on an annual review.
NOTE: Club advisors must maintain rosters and attendance records in accordance with guidelines established by the District and in keeping with their contractual obligations. Questions regarding club advisor contracts and advisors may be directed to Josh Hardin.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Locally-Defined-Diploma-Seal
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Technology
1. Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam; OR
2. Earning a “B” or higher in an approved College Credit Plus course; OR
3. Complete a full-year course or equivalent offered through the district or school and a culminating product.
Examples of courses currently offered:
- Robotics
- Intro to Computer Science
- UC IT Courses
- CTE Tech Courses (Hughes, Taft)
- IT Foundations
- Web Fundamentals
NOTE: If your school offers computer courses that are not listed above, please contact Joyce Bird to ensure proper coding. If you would like to add Tech courses to your schedule, please contact Dean Blase.
For more information visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%e2%80%99s-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation-Seals/Technology-Seal