Effective with the Graduating Class of 2021 (entering freshman of Fall 2017), graduation requirements to earn a Maryland High School diploma are as follows. Note updates effective with the class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015) See the Required Subject Area Descriptions pages in Administrative Procedure 6150 for further descriptions of enrollment requirements.
SUBJECT AREA |
SPECIFIC CREDIT REQUIREMENTS |
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS |
English |
4 credits |
Pursuant to COMAR 13A.03.02.09, students must: a. Achieve a passing score on the Maryland High School Assessment (MHSA) and Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for Algebra I and English 10, in the following way:
(i) For school years 2016—2023, a score of 725 and
(ii) Assessment in English 10 and/or Algebra I, the passing score on the retest shall be the passing score in the year in which the student first took the assessment.
b. Achieve a passing score as established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) on the Maryland High School Assessment for Government.
c. Students are required to take the High School Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA).
d. Achieve a combined score(s) as established by MSDE on the assessments;
e. If a student has not achieved a passing score on the ssessment in English 10 and/or Algebra I, achieve a score as established by MSDE on MSDEapproved assessments for Algebra, and/or English, aligned with the Maryland
assessments such as Advanced Placement examinations, SAT, ACT, and International Baccalaureate examinations; or
f. Except for students described in Regulation .06F of this chapter, if a student is unable to meet the requirements in §B(3)(a)—(d) of this regulation, then satisfactorily complete the requirements of the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation as set forth in Regulation .06D of this chapter.
|
Mathematics |
3 credits √ 1 in Algebra 1 √ 1 in Geometry √ 1 additional mathematics credit √ Enrollment in a math course each year in high school |
|
Science |
3 lab science credits (one from each category) √ 1 in Life Science (Biology) √ 1 in Physical Science (Biogeochemical Systems, Chemistry, Honors/PDP/ST Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, IB Biology 1, IB Chemistry 1, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1 or 2, or AP Environmental Science) √ 1 additional credit in Earth and Space Science (Biogeochemical Systems, Honors/PDP/ST Chemistry, Environmental Science, Earth and Space Science, or AP Environmental Science) |
|
Social Studies |
3 credits √ 1 in U.S. History II √ 1 in Local, State, and National Government √ 1 in World History |
|
OTHER REQUIREMENTS |
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Fine Arts |
1 credit |
|
Physical Education |
.50 credit √ Personal Fitness |
|
Health Education |
.50 credit √ Health Issues |
|
Technology Education |
1 credit |
|
Completer** and Electives **Completer refers to a specified sequence of courses required for completing graduation requirements |
2 credits of either World Language or American Sign Language and any remaining credits in electives Effective with the class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015), PGCPS no longer requires two years of the same world language for students beginning a Level 1 course in high school. MSDE requires that American Sign Language be taken in sequential order to meet graduation requirements. OR 2 credits of Advanced Technology Education and any remaining credits in electives OR Complete (4–9 credits) a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-approved sequence of courses and any remaining credits in electives |
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High School Graduation Requirements for Students with Disabilities
A Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion can be awarded to students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma, but who meet one of the following standards:
The Maryland Summary of Performance that describes the student’s skills shall accompany the Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion. The final decision to award a student with disabilities a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion will not be made until after the beginning of the student’s last year in high school. A student with significant cognitive disability may not meet high school graduation requirements, if a student participates in an Alternative Assessment based on Alternative Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS) and continues to receive instruction based on Alternative Academic Achievement Standards through high school. For additional information see COMAR Diplomas and Certificates at http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/13a/13a.03.02.09.htm |