Alpena School District

Alpena High School Graduation Requirements

The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the categories listed below. A minimum of twenty-two (22) units is required for graduation for a student participating in either the Smart Core or Core curriculum. Currently the district requires no credits beyond the DESE minimum. Beginning with the class of 2025 the district will require an additional 2 units to graduate for a total of 24 units. (for the class of 2025 and thereafter) There are some distinctions made between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply to Smart Core requirements.

All students must receive a passing score on the Arkansas Civics Exam in order to graduate.

Students shall be trained in quality psychomotor skill bases in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators in order to graduate.

Digital Learning Courses

The District shall offer one or more digital learning course(s) through one or more District approved provider(s) as either a primary or supplementary method of instruction. The courses may be in a blended learning, online-based, or other technology-based format.7In addition to the other graduation requirements contained in this policy, students are required to take at least one (1) digital learning course for credit while in high school.

Personal and Family Finance

All students shall receive credit in a course covering the Personal and Family Finance Standards in order to graduate.

SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units

English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit

Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12 and complete Algebra II.)

1) Algebra I or Algebra A & B*which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;

2) Geometry or Geometry A & B*which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 9-10;

*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.

3) Algebra II; and

4) The fourth unit may be either:

· A math unit approved by DESE beyond Algebra II; or

· A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a fourth math credit.

Natural Science: three (3) units

a. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;

b. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and

c. A third unit that is either:

o An additional science credit approved by DESE; or

o A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third science credit.

Social Studies: three (3) units

· Civics - one-half (½) unit

· World History - one unit

· American History - one unit

· Other social studies – one-half (½) Unit

Physical Education: one-half (½) unit

Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit

Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.

Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit

CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units

All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

a student who completes at least seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) at any certified service agency or a part of a service-learning school program shall receive one (1) Career Focus credit.9

CORE: Sixteen (16) units

English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit

Mathematics: four (4) units

· Algebra or its equivalent*- 1 unit

· Geometry or its equivalent*- 1 unit

· All math units must build on the base of algebra and geometry knowledge and skills.

· (Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable)

· A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a math credit beyond Algebra I and Geometry

*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four (4) unit requirement.

Science: three (3) units

a. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;

b. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and

c. A third unit that is either:

o An additional science credit approved by DESE; or

o A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third science credit.

Social Studies: three (3) units

· Civics one-half (½) unit

· World history, one (1) unit

· American History, one (1) unit

· Other social studies – one-half (½) unit

Physical Education: one-half (½) unit

Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit

Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit

CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units

The Smart Core Information Sheet and the Smart Core Waiver Form are available on the ADE website at https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/learning-services/curriculum-support/arkansas-graduation-requirements under the “Related Links” heading.