Section 180-51-067. State subject and credit requirements for high school graduation—Students entering the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015.

The statewide subject areas and credits required for high school graduation, beginning July 1, 2012, for students who enter the ninth grade or begin the equivalent of a four-year high school program, as of July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015, except as provided in WAC 180-51-068(11), shall total twenty as provided below. All credits are to be aligned with the state's essential academic learning requirements (learning standards) for the subject. The content of any course shall be determined by the local school district.

(1) Four English credits.

(2) Three mathematics credits that satisfy the requirements set forth below:

(a) Unless otherwise provided for in (d) through (g) of this subsection, the three mathematics credits required under this section must include:

(i) Algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I;

(ii) Geometry or integrated mathematics II; and

(iii) Algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III.

(b) A student may elect to pursue a third credit of high school-level mathematics, other than algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III, if all of the following requirements are met:

(i) The student's elective choice is based on a career oriented program of study identified in the student's high school and beyond plan that is currently being pursued by the student;

(ii) The student's parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable) agree that the third credit of mathematics elected is a more appropriate course selection than algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III because it will better serve the student's education and career goals;

(iii) A meeting is held with the student, the parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable), and a high school representative for the purpose of discussing the student's high school and beyond plan and advising the student of the requirements for credit bearing two- and four-year college level mathematics courses; and

(iv) The school has the parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable) sign a form acknowledging that the meeting with a high school representative has occurred, the information as required was discussed, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) (or designee for the student if a parent or guardian is unavailable) agree that the third credit of mathematics elected is a more appropriate course selection given the student's education and career goals.

(c) Courses in (a) and (b) of this subsection may be taken currently in the following combinations:

(i) Algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I may be taken concurrently with geometry or integrated mathematics II.

(ii) Geometry or integrated mathematics II may be taken concurrently with algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III or a third credit of mathematics to the extent authorized in (b) of this subsection.

(d) Equivalent career and technical education (CTE) mathematics courses meeting the requirements set forth in RCW 28A.230.097 can be taken for credit instead of any of the mathematics courses set forth in (a) of this subsection if the CTE mathematics courses are recorded on the student's transcript using the equivalent academic high school department designation and course title.

(e) A student who prior to ninth grade successfully completed algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I; and/or geometry or integrated mathematics II, but does not request high school credit for such course(s) as provided in RCW 28A.230.090, may either:

(i) Repeat the course(s) for credit in high school; or

(ii) Complete three credits of mathematics as follows:

(A) A student who has successfully completed algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I shall:

• Earn the first high school credit in geometry or integrated mathematics II;

• Earn the second high school credit in algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III; and

• Earn the third high school credit in a math course that is consistent with the student's education and career goals.

(B) A student who has successfully completed algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I, and geometry or integrated mathematics II, shall:

• Earn the first high school credit in algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III; and

• Earn the second and third credits in mathematics courses that are consistent with the educational and career goals of the student.

(f) A student who satisfactorily demonstrates competency in algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I pursuant to a written district policy, but does not receive credit under the provisions of WAC 180-51-050, shall complete three credits of high school mathematics in the following sequence:

• Earn the first high school credit in geometry or integrated mathematics II;

• Earn the second high school credit in algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III; and

• Earn the third credit in a mathematics course that is consistent with the student's education and career goals.

(g) A student who satisfactorily demonstrates competency in algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I and geometry or integrated mathematics II pursuant to a written district policy, but does not receive credit for the courses under the provisions of WAC 180-51-050, shall complete three credits of high school mathematics in the following sequence:

• Earn the first high school credit in algebra 2 or integrated mathematics III;

• Earn the second and third high school credits in courses that are consistent with the educational and career goals of the student.

(3) Two science credits, at least one of the two credits must be in laboratory science.

(4) Three social studies credits (2.5 credits prescribed courses, plus a .5 credit social studies elective) and a noncredit requirement. The social studies requirement shall consist of the following mandatory courses or equivalencies:

(a) One credit shall be required in United States history.

(b) Successful completion of Washington state history and government shall be required, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.230.170; RCW 28A.230.090 and WAC 392-410-120, and shall consider including information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian peoples who were the first inhabitants of the state. Successful completion must be noted on each student's transcript. The Washington state history and government requirement may be waived by the principal for students who: (i) Have successfully completed a state history and government course of study in another state; or (ii) are in eleventh or twelfth grade and who have not completed a course of study in Washington's history and state government because of previous residence outside the state.

(c) One credit shall be required in contemporary world history, geography, and problems. Courses in economics, sociology, civics, political science, international relations, or related courses with emphasis on contemporary world problems may be accepted as equivalencies.

(d) One-half credit shall be required in civics and include at a minimum the content listed in RCW 28A.230.093.

(5) Two health and fitness credits (.5 credit health; 1.5 credits fitness). Students may be excused from the fitness requirement under RCW 28A.230.050. Such excused students shall be required to demonstrate proficiency/competency in the knowledge portion of the fitness requirement, in accordance with written district policy.

(6) One arts credit. The essential content in this subject area may be satisfied in the visual or performing arts.

(7) One credit in occupational education. "Occupational education" means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate competency of skills under student learning goal four and which skills are required for success in current and emerging occupations. At a minimum, these competencies shall align with the definition of an exploratory course as contained in the career and technical education (CTE) program standards of the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(a) Students who earn a graduation requirement credit through a CTE course locally determined to be equivalent to a non-CTE course will not be required to earn a second credit in the non-CTE course subject; the single CTE course meets two graduation requirements.

(b) Students who earn a graduation requirement credit in a non-CTE course locally determined to be equivalent to a CTE course will not be required to earn a second credit in the CTE course subject; the single non-CTE course meets two graduation requirements.

(c) Students satisfying the requirement in (a) or (b) of this subsection will need to earn five elective credits instead of four; total credits required for graduation will not change.

(8) Four credits of electives.

(9) Each student shall have a high school and beyond plan for their high school experience, including what they expect to do the year following graduation.

(10) Students who complete and pass all required International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme courses are considered to have satisfied state subject and credit requirements for graduation from a public high school, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.230.090, 28A.230.170, and chapter 28A.230 RCW.

(11) A school district may obtain a two-year extension from the effective date for the implementation of the four credits of English and/or the three credits of social studies required under this section upon the filing of a written resolution by the district's school board with the state board of education stating the district's intent to delay implementation of the increased English and/or social studies requirements effective for the class of 2016. The resolution must be filed by June 1, 2012. A district filing a timely resolution with the state board of education shall maintain the English, social studies, and elective credits in effect under WAC 180-51-066 for the period of the extension.

[Statutory Authority: 2014 c 217 and RCW 28A.230.090. WSR 14-19-032, § 180-51-067, filed 9/8/14, effective 10/9/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.230.090, 28A.230.093, 28A.230.050, 28A.230.170, 28A.230.060, and 28A.305.215(8). WSR 12-03-073, § 180-51-067, filed 1/13/12, effective 2/13/12.]

2014 c 217 and RCW 28A.230.090. WSR 14-19-032, § 180-51-067, filed 9/8/14, effective 10/9/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.230.090, 28A.230.093, 28A.230.050, 28A.230.170, 28A.230.060, and 28A.305.215(8). WSR 12-03-073, § 180-51-067, filed 1/13/12, effective 2/13/12.

Rules

180-51-068,180-51-050,180-51-050,392-410-120,180-51-066,