October 2007

"Georgia is one of the nation's leaders in setting rigorous standards for all students." - Achieve Inc., President Michael Cohen. The 21st century economy will have high expectations for the next generation, so we must set high expectations of them, too. On September 13th, the state of Georgia did just that. That day, the State Board of Education unanimously passed new graduation requirements that will make sure our students are college and work ready. The new requirements combine a strong core of classes in Mathematics, Science, English and Social Studies with flexibility, so students can pursue their areas of interest. The new requirements were the result of unprecedented collaboration among all levels of education - from Pre-K to higher education - as well as the business world and the general public. Over five months, the new graduation requirements were discussed and debated until we had a set of high expectations we could all embrace. In September 2007, the State Board of Education passed a new set of graduation requirements that will assure Georgia's high school students graduate college and work ready. The rule was revised in conjunction with the implementation of the new Georgia Performance Standards in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies as well as electives. The new curriculum and the new graduation requirements will help students graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college and the workplace. All students will be required to complete a total of 23 units for graduation. All students will take: 4 units of English 4 units of Science 4 units of Mathematics 3 units of Social Studies 1 health/physical education course At least 3 units required from Foreign Language and/or CTAE and/or Fine Arts At least 4 additional electives Superintendent On the Road with Superintendent Cox State Board of Education Meeting Update Current Rule New Rule 4 tiers, each with different requirements: College Preparatory (CP) and College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+), Technology/Career (TC) and Technology/Career with Distinction (TC+) 1 common set of requirements for all students 22 total units required for CP and TC and 24 total units required for CP+ and TC+ 23 total units required for all students 4 units of English Language Arts required for all students 4 units of English Language Arts required for all students 4 units of Mathematics required for CP and CP+; 3 units required for TC and TC+ 4 units of Mathematics required for all students 3 units of Science required for all students 4 units of Science required for all students (the 4th science unit may be used to meet both the science and elective requirements) 3 units of Social Studies required for all students 3 units of Social Studies required for all students, all courses are specifically identified 1 unit of Health and Physical Education required for all students 1 unit of Health and Physical Education required for all students; 3 units of JROTC may be used to meet the requirement 1 unit of Computer Technology and/or Fine Arts and/or Technology Career Preparatory and/or Foreign Language required for all students A total of 3 units required from: CTAE and/or Foreign Language and/or Fine Arts for all students (students planning to enter or transfer into a University System of Georgia institution must take two units of the same foreign language). 2 units of Foreign Language required for CP and CP+ students 5 - 6 additional elective units depending on tier (CP, CP+, TC, TC+) 4 additional elective units for all students  Graduation Issue Card Side by Side (PDF) Division Newsletters Georgia Virtual School Newsletter August 2007 Volume 1, Issue 4 Instructional Technology Media Matters Newsletter September 2007 Volume 6, Number 2 Resources Print Materials

© 2007 Georgia Department of Education, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive S.E., Atlanta, GA 30334.

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