Credits

MINIMUM CREDITS, COURSE REQUIREMENTS, AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Class of 2023 and beyond

Credits and Required Courses: 25 Credits Required

Commencing with the graduating class of 2023 and for each graduating class thereafter, in order to graduate and be granted a diploma, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) credits, as outlined below:

English

4 Credits

Mathematics

(must include Algebra 1, unless successfully taken in middle school, and Geometry)

4 Credits

Science

(3 credits must be in one of the NGSS pathways, as defined in the Program of Studies)

4 Credits

Social Studies

(1) Credit—Modern World History

(1) Credit – US History or AP US History

(½) Credit – Civics in Action*

(½) Credit – Foundations of Government*

*Earning 1 credit in AP US Government and Politics can replace these two ½ credit requirements.

3 Credits

Fine Arts (Music and/or Visual Arts)

0.5 Credit

Physical Education/Health Education

2 Credits

World Language

1 Credit

Electives

Electives should be chosen to ensure that the required 9 credits of humanities and the 9 credits of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are met

6.5 Credits

Mastery-Based Diploma Assessment

1 Credit

 

To satisfy this credit, students must earn one credit in a course designated with an “M” in the EHS Program of Studies. These courses are to be taken in a student’s junior or senior year. To earn the additional 1 credit designated for the mastery-based diploma assessment, students will meet specified requirements and showcase a year’s worth of work that addresses one of the EHS Priority Learning Expectations. Additional criteria will be outlined in the course description in the POS.

 

 

Performance Standards:

 

A student will be granted a high school diploma provided that he/she has met literacy, numeracy, and science performance standards, as well as the minimum requirement of credits listed above.

 

  1. Literacy Performance Standard – To read and write with understanding, as outlined in the Connecticut Core Standards.
    1. In order to meet the literacy standard, students must achieve one of the following:
      • A Critical Reading SAT score or Writing SAT score of 480 or above; or
      • Achieve a 460 or better on the Reading or Writing portion of the PSAT; or
      • A Reading ACT score of 18 or above; or
      • Achieve a passing score on an identified skills assessment in English 11 or US History; or
      • Receive a score that meets or exceeds standards on a District Literacy Performance Task, as defined in Administrative Regulation 6146.

         

  2. Numeracy Performance Standard – To demonstrate mathematical skills, as outlined in the Connecticut Core Standards.
    1. In order to meet the numeracy performance standard, students must achieve one of the following:
      • A Math SAT score of 480 or above; or
      • Achieve a 460 or better on the Mathematics portion of the PSAT; or
      • A Math ACT score of 18 or above; or
      • Achieve a passing score on an identified skills assessment in a math course during their Grade 11 school year; or 8
      • Receive a score that meets or exceeds standards on a District Numeracy Performance Task, as defined in Administrative Regulation 6146.

         

  3. Science Performance Standard – Students shall, prior to the completion of their senior year, demonstrate proficiency in problem solving and scientific inquiry, as well as a familiarity with major themes in science.
    1. In order to meet the District Performance Standards in science, students must succeed in one of the following: a.Meet the proficiency benchmark set by Enfield Public Schools on the new state-mandated Next Generation Science Assessment; or
      • Score a 430 or higher on a SAT II Science related subject test; or
      • Score a 70% or higher on the Honors Physics 5230 or Biology 5212 final exam; or
      • Score a 70% or higher on the final Honors Physics 5230 or Biology 5212 Scientific Design Assessment; or
      • Receive a score that meets or exceeds standards on a District Science Performance Task, as defined by Administrative Regulations 6146.

 

Conditions:

  1. Graduating Seniors:

     

    In addition to satisfying the required course credits and meeting the performance standards, graduating seniors must attain a minimum overall average of 1.7 (C-) for all courses required for graduation.

     

    The 1.7 (C-) grade average required for graduation shall be computed annually at the end of the fourth marking period and shall include all the courses taken by the student.

     

    Students who have earned more than the required credits for graduation but failed to obtain the required 1.7 (C-) average may attempt to satisfy the 1.7 (C-) average by calculating the highest GPA using the minimum number of credits. Such calculation must include all of the required courses.

     

    Only students who have met all of the district’s graduation requirements may participate in their school’s graduation ceremony.

     

  2. Non-Graduating Seniors:

     

    Seniors who have not satisfied all requirements for graduation will not be allowed to participate in the school’s graduation ceremony and will be given the opportunity to attain a high school diploma by:

     

    1. attending summer school at their own expense in an attempt to meet the graduation requirements.
    2. returning to high school the following year to meet all graduation requirements.

 

All students must pass a minimum of four (4) full-credit courses in their senior year. This requirement may be waived for students who have been granted approval for senior mid-year graduation or have returned to complete their graduation requirements.

 

Students who have met the district’s graduation requirements, except for the literacy and/or numeracy standard, shall receive a certificate of completion in lieu of a high school diploma.