Graduation Requirements

SUBJECT AREA

SPECIFIC CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

English

4 credits

√ 1 in English 9 (including ELD English 1)
√ 1 in English 10 (including ELD English 2)
√ 1 in English 11 (including AP, IB)
√ 1 in English 12 (including AP, IB, DE)

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) includes an annual
year-end test in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics in Grades 3-8
and high school. This is a test requirement of the federal Every Student Succeeds
Act. These tests are given in the spring of each year, usually in April and May. The
first administration occurred in Spring 2022.

According to MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance
Reporting, students are required to participate in, but not required to pass, the
assessments for Algebra 1, English 10, Life Science, and Government. As part
of the Maryland Blueprint, the assessments for Algebra 1 and English 10 shall be
used to determine College and Career Readiness.

13A.03.02.06 identifies Life Science and Government as having an End of Course
(EOC) Exam requirement: In 2022, the Maryland State Board of Education
(MSBOE) approved a waiver for the EOC Exam requirement for all courses in the
2022-2023 school year. The waiver states that the EOC Exams are to be counted
as 20 percent of the final course grade (COMAR 13A.03.02.06.H). The MSBOE
has determined that EOC exams will be implemented starting in the 2023-2024
school year. The MSDE is working to support the EOC Exams for Life Science
and Government. COMAR 13A .03 .02 Graduation Requirements for Public High
Schools and EOC Exam implementation are pending revisions.

Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all first-time 9th grade students will
have the EOC Exam incorporated into their final course grades as required by
13A .03 .02 Graduation Requirements for High Schools in Maryland. Refer to
the Assessment Requirements page and online to the Maryland Comprehensive
Assessment Program website for updates regarding End of Course Exams.

Also see Assessment Requirements page (AP 6150).

Mathematics

 4 credits

√ 1 in Algebra 1
√ 1 in Geometry
√ 2 additional mathematics credits
√ Enrollment in a math course each year in high school

Science

 3 lab science credits (one from each category)

√ 1 in Life Science
√ 1 in Physical Science
√ 1 in Earth and Space Science

Social Studies

 3 credits

√ 1 in U.S. History II
√ 1 in Local, State, and National Government
√ 1 in World History

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Fine Arts

1 credit

Physical Education

 0.5 credit √ Personal Fitness

Health Education

0.5 credit √ Health 1

0.5 credit √ Health 2

Financial Literacy

0.5 credit

Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology Education

1 credit

Completer** and Electives

**Completer refers to a specified sequence of courses required for completing graduation requirements

2 credits of the same World Language or American Sign Language and any remaining credits in electives

OR

Complete (3–9 credits) of a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-approved sequence of courses and any remaining credits in electives

Prerequisites: Enrollment in a course may be allowed only if a previous course has been completed. See the High School Courses and Programs of Study publication which describes the content of each course offered in Prince George’s County Public Schools and course prerequisites.

Credits: Twenty-two (22) credits are required per COMAR 13A.03.02.01C. Students must be enrolled and have taken a minimum of four full credit courses or a combination of full and partial credit courses to total a minimum of four credits over the course of the academic year. The minimum of four credits worth of courses must include at least one high school course; remaining courses may include Dual Enrollment. Seniors who have completed four years of high school are exempt from the minimum enrollment requirement. All MSDE graduation requirements must be satisfied.

Student Service-Learning: The student shall complete a locally developed, state-approved program that includes service-learning infusion in designated courses, preparation, reflection, and a specified number of hours of independent service.

SUBJECT AREA

SPECIFIC CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

English

4 credits

Pursuant to COMAR 13A.03.02.09, students must:

1. 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.
2. Achieve a passing score as established by the Maryland State Department of
   Education (MSDE) on the Maryland High School Assessment for Government.
3. Students are required to take the Maryland High School Life Science
   Assessment.
4. d. Achieve a combined score(s) as established by MSDE on the assessments;
5. If a student has not achieved a passing score on the assessment 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.

According to MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance
Reporting Updates in September 2022, students were waived from the
accountability assessment requirement for the 2019-2020 school year due to
the global pandemic. For school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023,
students would be required to participate in, but not pass, the assessments
Algebra 1, English 10, Life Science, and Government.

Refer to the Assessment Requirements page and online to the Maryland
Comprehensive Assessment Program website for updates regarding End of
Course Exams.

Also see Assessment Requirements page (AP 6150).

Mathematics

3 credits

√ 1 in Algebra 1
√ 1 in Geometry
√ 1 additional mathematics credits
√ Enrollment in a math course each year in high school

Science

3 lab science credits (one from each category)

√ 1 in Life Science
√ 1 in Physical Science
√ 1 in Earth and Space Science

Social Studies

3 credits

√ 1 in U.S. History II
√ 1 in Local, State, and National Government
√ 1 in World History

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Fine Arts

1 credit

Physical Education

0.5 credit √ Personal Fitness

Health Education

0.5 credit √ Health Issues

Financial Literacy

0.5 credit; Effective with the graduating class of 2024, students in Prince George’s County Public Schools are required to complete one-half (0.5) credit in Financial Literacy in order to graduate.

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, available through school year 2023-2024, and any remaining credits in electives

OR

Complete (3–9 credits) of a MarylandState Department of Education (MSDE)-approved sequence of courses and any remaining credits in electives

Prerequisites: Enrollment in a course may be allowed only if a previous course has been completed. See the High School Courses and Programs of Study publication which
describes the content of each course offered in Prince George’s County Public Schools and course prerequisites.

Credits: Twenty-one (21) credits are required per COMAR 13A.03.02.01C. Effective with the Class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015), students must be enrolled and have taken a minimum of four full credit courses or a combination of full and partial credit courses to total a minimum of four credits over the course of the academic year. The minimum of four credits worth of courses must include at least one high school course; remaining courses may include Dual Enrollment. Seniors who have completed four years of high school are exempt from the minimum enrollment requirement. All MSDE graduation requirements must be satisfied.

Student Service-Learning: The student shall complete a locally developed, state-approved program that includes service-learning infusion in designated courses, preparation,
reflection, and a specified number of hours of independent service. (Student Service-Learning Requirements)