The State of Ohio modified graduation requirements beginning with the Class of 2018 (this year’s juniors). There are two components of graduation requirements:
- The credit component requires all students to successfully complete a minimum of 20 high school credits in specific subjects.
- The assessment component provides students three ways to be eligible for a high school diploma: (a) earn a cumulative score of at least 18 points on seven end-of-course state tests; (b) earn 12 points by attaining an industry-recognized credential and 13 points on the WorkKeys assessment for the Class of 2018 and 2019; or (c) earn remediation free scores in English language arts and mathematics on a nationally recognized college admission exam such as the ACT or SAT.
It appears the most common way a student will meet the assessment component is through earning points on the seven state tests. Students currently are required to earn at least 18 points, though State Board of Education and Ohio Department of Education officials are discussing this topic. There is no additional, formal recognition for students who earn more than 18 points.
Students can earn up to 5 points on each of the seven state tests (English I, English II, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology/Physical Science, US History, American Government). Parents can access the number of points to date their child has earned on each of these tests through the Graduation Pathway section of PowerSchool. Under “Navigation”, look for the Graduation Pathways icon.
Students taking the ACT test may meet graduation requirements (regardless of points earned on Ohio’s State Tests) by achieving a remediation free score. This, too, is indicated on a student’s Graduation Pathways record. Note that the Ohio Department of Higher Education works with Ohio universities to set the remediation-free scores for the ACT and SAT. Any Industry Recognized Credentials earned are also specified when viewing a student’s Graduation Pathway.
At this point for students in the class of 2018, of the seven state tests, most juniors have only the American Government remaining to take. Students enrolled in AP or IB courses in American History or American Government may earn points by taking tests that are specially designed for these courses. They are not required to take the state’s tests for these courses, which helps avoid double testing.
The next opportunity for students in graduation cohort 2018 and beyond to retake any of the tests is during the upcoming April 2017 test administration. Test administration dates are as follows:
- Monday, April 10 – English I
- Tuesday, April 11 – English II
- Wednesday, April 12 – American Government
- Tuesday, April 18 – Biology
- Wednesday, April 19 – American History (also, ACT administered to all Juniors)
- Thursday, April 20 – Geometry
- Friday, April 21 – Algebra I
If a student previously earned 1 or 2 points on one or more of the previously listed tests, s/he has the opportunity and is encouraged to retake the test in order to earn more points and achieve the required total necessary to graduate. Students who received a 3 or 4 and feel they have a reason to retake the test are asked to first contact their school counselor.
Questions regarding a student’s graduation progress to date as it relates to credit attainment or Graduation Pathways record in PowerSchool should be directed to the student’s school counselor.