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Policy 8030 – Graduation Requirements

The purpose of this policy is to establish requirements for graduation from high school in the HCPSS that are consistent with the regulations of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Policy Document

Implementation Procedures

I. Policy Value Statement

The Board of Education of Howard County (Board) is committed to ensuring that each student in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) meets rigorous academic standards and is prepared to enter postsecondary education or employment. The Board further recognizes that fulfilling this commitment requires effective instruction and flexible programming that address the unique needs and interests of students. Within the high school program, students will have access to a wide variety of course offerings, including work-based learning experiences that meet and supplement academic requirements, to prepare them to be responsible members of a global society.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish requirements for graduation from high school in the HCPSS that are consistent with the regulations of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

III. Standards

Graduation Requirements
1. Enrollment Requirement:
  
  The student will satisfactorily complete four years of approved study beyond the eighth grade unless one of the alternatives in Section D. is satisfied.
2. Credit Requirements – Beginning with Students Who Entered Grade 9 in 2021-2022 School Year:
  1. To be awarded a diploma, a student will have earned a minimum of twenty-two credits.
  2. A student will earn the following specified core credits as part of the twenty-two credits requirement:
    
    English Language Arts – 4 credits, including one credit that addresses standards tested by the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessment for English.
    
    Fine Arts – 1 credit in visual arts, music, theatre, and/or dance.
    
    Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology Education – 1 credit that includes the study of computers and algorithmic processes or the application of knowledge, tools, and skills to solve practical problems and extend human capabilities.
    
    Mathematics – 4 credits, including one credit with instruction in algebra aligned with the MCAP for algebra or one or more credits in subsequent mathematics courses for which Algebra I is a prerequisite, and one credit with instruction in Geometry aligned with the content standards for Geometry.
    
    Physical Education – 1/2 credit.
    
    Health – 1 credit.
    
    Science – 3 credits designed to develop scientific literacy with all courses integrating the application of the science and engineering practices, the crosscutting concepts, and each containing a laboratory component, including one credit in life science aligned to the MCAP for life science; one credit in physical science (including chemistry, physics, or integrated physical science); and one credit in Earth/space science or a course with the topics of Earth/space science integrated.
    
    Social Studies – 3 credits including one credit in U.S. history, one credit in world history, and one credit in local, state, and national government aligned with the MCAP for government.
  3. A student will also earn one of the following as part of the twenty-two credits requirement:
    
    World Language or American Sign Language – 2 credits in one language.
    
    State-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Academy – 3 or more credits as determined by the specific program.
  4. Students must complete a locally designed high school program of environmental literacy.
  5. Students may also earn credits from other available elective courses published in the HCPSS Catalog of Approved High School Courses.
3. Credit Requirements – Students Who Entered Grade 9 Prior to 2021-2022 School Year:
  1. To be awarded a diploma, a student will have earned a minimum of twenty-one credits.
  2. A student will earn the following specified core credits as part of the twenty-one credits requirement:
    
    English Language Arts – 4 credits, including one credit that addresses standards tested by the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessment for English.
    
    Fine Arts – 1 credit in visual arts, music, theatre, and/or dance.
    
    Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology Education – 1 credit that includes the application of knowledge, tools, and skills to solve practical problems and extend human capabilities.
    
    Mathematics – 3 credits, including one credit of Algebra I (aligned with the MCAP assessment for Algebra I), one credit of Geometry, and one or more credits in courses such as Algebra II and subsequent mathematics courses that utilize algebra in a substantive way, so that the student does not lose the algebraic and numerical skills achieved in earlier courses. Students must be enrolled in a mathematics course in each year of high school that the student attends in the HCPSS, for a maximum of four years attendance, unless in the 5th or 6th year a mathematics course is needed to meet graduation requirements.
    
    Physical Education – 1/2 credit.
    
    Health – 1/2 credit.
    
    Science – 3 credits of organized instruction that integrate laboratory components in each. Each credit engages students in the application of the science and engineering practices, the crosscutting concepts, and the disciplinary core ideas of Earth/space science, life science, physical science (chemistry and physics), engineering, and technology; and life science aligns to the MCAP for science.
    
    Social Studies – 3 credits including one credit in U. S. history, one credit in world history, and one credit in local, state, and national government aligned with the MCAP for government.
  3. A student will also earn one of the following as part of the twenty-one credits requirement:
    
    World Language or American Sign Language – 2 credits.
    
    Advanced Technology Education – 2 credits.
    
    State-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Academy – 3 or more credits as determined by the specific program.
  4. Students must complete a locally designed high school program of environmental literacy.
  5. Students may also earn credits from other available elective courses published in the HCPSS Catalog of Approved High School Courses.
4. State Assessment Requirements
  1. Each student must take the MCAP assessments for English 10, Algebra I, life science (biology), and government to fulfill Maryland graduation requirements.
  2. Students who passed English 10 or Algebra I courses in the 2019-2020 school year are waived from respective assessment requirements.
  3. Students who passed American government courses in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year are waived from the MCAP government requirement.
  4. Beginning with students who entered grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year, the State assessment for life science (biology) and government will account for 20% of the student’s final grade in the respective high school level science and government courses.
5. Student Service Learning Requirement
  
  Students will complete one of the following programs which include preparation, action, and reflection components:
  1. A locally designed program in student service learning that has been approved by the State Superintendent of Schools and is usually completed in middle school.
  2. 75 hours of student service learning which may begin during the middle school years.
6. Career Preparation Requirement
  
  A student must participate in an approved program of career preparation.
Elective Programs

HCPSS will provide elective courses in a variety of areas which are open to enrollment for all students and which focus on in-depth study in required subject areas, exploration, or application/integration of what has been learned.
Alternative Sources of Credit
1. HCPSS may provide summer school programs as determined by the needs of students for either credit recovery (review credit in COMAR) or original credit. Credit recovery and original credit courses will meet the requirements specified for regular school year courses.
2. Credit may be given for summer courses offered by approved public and nonpublic institutions in or outside of Maryland. Summer courses taken outside of HCPSS summer school programs will be reviewed using the transcript review process. Students are encouraged to review summer courses with their home school counselor in advance. Requirements for awarding credit for courses are listed in Section III.E.
3. HCPSS may provide extended day programs outside of the regular school day for credit recovery or original credit as determined by the needs of students. Requirements for those subjects being used by students for diploma credit will be the same as those listed in Sections III.A.2., III.A.3., and III.A.4. above.
4. Work-based learning and experience outside the school are recognized as valid ways of learning. Time spent in such activities may be counted as a portion of the requirements for credit when identified as an integrated part of a planned program. No more than nine elective credits toward meeting graduation requirements may be granted to a student for approved and supervised work or experience.
5. Credit may be earned in grades 9–12 for independent study or internships in which students successfully demonstrate locally established curricular objectives.
6. With prior approval of the Superintendent/designee, credit may be given for courses taken at accredited colleges, MSDE-approved fully online course providers, and other accredited institutions and counted toward the requirements for a diploma.
7. Courses will be identified for which students in grades 9–12 may earn credit toward graduation by passing an examination that assesses student demonstration of locally established curricular objectives.
8. Credits may be earned for designated high school level courses taken at the middle school level.
Alternatives to 4-Year Enrollment

In recognition of the fact that four-year enrollment in a public high school may not serve the best interests of some students, the following alternatives are made available:
1. Early College Admission Program
  
  A student may receive a diploma by meeting COMAR requirements of an early college admission program.
2. Early Admission to Approved Vocational, Technical, or Other Postsecondary School Program
  
  A student may receive a diploma by meeting COMAR requirements of an early admission program to an approved vocational, technical, or other postsecondary school program.
3. Request for Early Graduation Option
  
  Students have the option to graduate after three (3) years of attendance provided all state assessment, credit, student service learning, and career preparation requirements have been met for the year of entry into high school. This option is subject to approval by the Superintendent/designee. An approval process will be developed and published in the Catalog of Approved High School Courses.
Transfer Credits
1. Awarding of Credit
  
  The principal/designee will ascertain the type of school(s) attended to determine how to evaluate credits. This includes home instruction programs under the supervision of accredited schools or institutions which award high school credit. If in doubt, HCPSS school-based employees should direct questions to the Office of Home and Hospital Teaching and Home Instruction. If there is any doubt on this point, the Office of Home and Hospital Teaching and Home Instruction will send an official inquiry to the State Department of Education in the state in which the school or schools are located.
  1. Maryland Public Schools
    
    If transferring from another Maryland public school, credits must be awarded to the student in the subjects the other public school system awarded credits.
  2. Schools in Other States and Non-Public Maryland Schools
    
    If the school or schools are approved by other states or are private schools accredited by Maryland, credits may be awarded to the student in the subjects which the student has completed successfully. See Section III.E.2. below for courses which are part of the Maryland State Assessment Program.
  3. Other Schools
    
    If an official transcript from a school is not available or a student is enrolling from another school, the Superintendent/designee will determine placement within the high school program and credits to be awarded by an evaluation of the student. This evaluation will include one or more of the following: administration of standardized tests and examinations; the use of interviews that are focused around the student’s demonstration of course content knowledge and performance levels; and the inspection of transcripts, report cards, and other documentation. The student will be notified in writing of the reasons for any denial of transfer credits.
    
    Home Instruction is either passed or not passed; P for passed is the only grade recorded.
2. Maryland State Assessment Requirements
  1. If transferring outside of a Maryland Public School, to award credit for Algebra I, English 10, government, and life science, a principal/designee will determine through the following considerations whether the transfer student demonstrates subject matter knowledge aligned with the content standards for the subject: administration of standardized tests and examinations; observation of the student in the classroom; use of interviews that are focused around the student’s demonstration of course content knowledge and performance levels; and inspection of transcripts, report cards, and other documentation.
  2. A student who transfers from a nonpublic school or a school out of state and who has been awarded credit for Algebra I, English 10, government, or a life science credit, is exempt from the MCAP assessment in the associated course(s).
  3. A student who transfers from a nonpublic school or from a school out of state into the HCPSS after the first semester of their senior year is exempt from the MCAP assessment requirements. This exemption does not apply to a student with disabilities in a state-approved nonpublic program.
3. Awarding of a Diploma
  1. To receive a diploma, a student will be in attendance at a Maryland public high school one full semester immediately preceding graduation in addition to meeting the other diploma requirements. In cases where this requirement creates an undue hardship for a student transferring to or from a Maryland nonpublic school or from an out-of-state school and wishing to receive a Maryland high school diploma, the Superintendent may waive the one full semester attendance requirement.
  2. Students transferring from one Maryland public high school to another during the second semester of their senior year, and meeting all requirements for graduation, will be given the option of graduating from either high school by agreement of the Superintendent/designee or the respective local superintendents when more than one school system is involved.
Diplomas and Certificates
1. Maryland High School Diploma
  
  A Maryland high school diploma will be awarded to any student who fulfills the minimum enrollment, credit, state assessment, student service learning, and career preparation requirements.
2. Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion
  
  This certificate will be awarded only to students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma but who meet one of the following standards:
  1. The student is enrolled in an education program for at least four years beyond grade 8 or its age equivalent and is determined by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, with the agreement of the student and the parents of the student, to have developed appropriate skills for the individual to enter the world of work, act responsibly as a citizen, and enjoy a fulfilling life, with the world of work including but not be limited to:
    
    Gainful employment;
    
    Post-secondary education and training;
    
    Supported employment; and
    
    Other services that are integrated in the community; or
  2. The student has been enrolled in an educational program for four years beyond grade 8 or its age equivalent and has reached the age of 21 by the end of the student’s current school year.
3. The Maryland Summary of Performance that describes the student’s skills will accompany the Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion.
4. 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.

IV. Responsibilities

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that the curriculum meets state standards for graduation.
The principal/designee will ensure that the approved curriculum is implemented.
The principal/designee will monitor student schedules to provide feedback to students and parents regarding progress toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements.
The principal/designee will review student records to determine eligibility for graduation.

V. Delegation of Authority

The Superintendent is authorized to develop appropriate procedures for the implementation of this policy within the limits set forth by this policy.

VI. Definitions

Within the context of this policy, the following definitions apply:

Credit – Unit of achievement awarded for the completion of a course and the successful demonstration of mastery of the curricular standards.
HCPSS Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee of the HCPSS whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board, including but not limited to, teachers, substitute teachers, paraeducators, and other school-based and Central Office support staff.
Home Instruction – A program under which students are provided regular, thorough instruction, by their parent(s) during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to students of the same age.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team – A group of individuals, including parents, responsible for identifying and evaluating students with disabilities. The IEP Team develops, reviews, and/or revises an IEP for a student with a disability and determines placement in the least restrictive environment.
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) – Required Maryland state assessments that are aligned to the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards.
Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion – The official state document issued to students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma but who have completed the identified standards in a special education program.
Maryland High School Diploma (Diploma) – The official state document issued to a student indicating fulfillment of the minimum enrollment, credit, state assessment, student service learning, and career preparation requirements.
Mastery – Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject.
Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the student:
1. Biological Parent – A natural parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.
2. Adoptive Parent – A person who has legally adopted the student and whose parental rights have not been terminated.
3. Custodian – A person or an agency appointed by the court as the legal custodian of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.
4. Guardian – A person who has been placed by the court in charge of the affairs of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.
5. Caregiver – An adult resident of Howard County who exercises care, custody or control over the student, but who is neither the biological parent nor legal guardian, as long as the person satisfies the requirements of the Education Article, §7-101 (c) (Informal Kinship Care) or has been issued a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Verification of Release form entering into a custodial arrangement with the federal government.
6. Foster Parent – An adult approved to care for a child who has been placed in their home by a state agency or a licensed child placement agency as provided by the Family Law Article, §5-507.

VII. References

A. Legal

COMAR 13A.03.02, Graduation Requirements for Public High Schools in Maryland
COMAR 13A.03.02.03, Enrollment and Credit Requirements
COMAR 13A.03.02.04, Other Provisions for Earning Credit
COMAR 13A.03.02.05, Student Service
COMAR 13A.03.02.06, Maryland High School Assessments
COMAR 13A.03.02.09, Diplomas and Certificates
COMAR 13A.03.02.10, Alternatives to 4-year Enrollment Requirement
COMAR 13A.03.02.12, General Provisions (Transfer Students)

B. Board Policies

C. Relevant Data Sources

(none)

D. Other

HCPSS Catalog of Approved High School Courses

VIII. History

ADOPTED: February 13, 1986

REVIEWED: February 24, 2022

MODIFIED:

April 12, 2007
April 10, 2008
March 13, 2014
April 10, 2018
November 5, 2020
August 12, 2021
December 5, 2023

REVISED:

October 26, 1989
June 27, 1996
May 26, 2005
February 12, 2015
May 12, 2016
June 8, 2023

EFFECTIVE: December 5, 2023

Policy History Key

Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.