Louisiana Department of Education
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Graduation Requirements

Preparing for the Future

Graduation Requirements

To provide high school students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their post-secondary and career pursuits, Louisiana has adopted graduation requirements and options to meet today's college and workplace demands. The menu and charts below outline the state's two diploma pathways, as well as options for earning specific endorsements.

The chart below represents a brief summary of the graduation requirements. The complete policy can be found in §2318 and §2319 of Bulletin 741.

By the end of the eighth grade, students should start developing their Individual Graduation Plan (IGP). This plan is aimed at helping students explore the educational and career possibilities that are available to them. IGPs are required for all students as a result of legislation passed during the 2009 Legislative session.

Also in 2009, state policymakers passed legislation to create an alternative Career Diploma, with the goal of improving Louisiana's graduation rate and providing students with career and technical training to enter the workplace after high school. The Career Diploma was implemented in the 2009-2010 school year.


Basic Core Curriculum

(Incoming Freshmen 2008-2009 and beyond)

English - 4 Units

  • English I, II, III, IV or Senior Applications in English

Math - 4 Units

  • Algebra I (1 unit), Applied Algebra I (1 unit) or Algebra I-Pt. 1 and Algebra I-Pt. 2 (2 units)
  • Geometry or Applied Geometry
  • Remaining unit(s) from the following: Algebra II, Financial Mathematics, Math Essentials, Advanced Math—Pre-Calculus, Advanced Math—Functions and Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, or a local math elective approved by BESE

Science - 3 Units

  • Biology
  • 1 unit from the following Physical Science cluster: Physical Science, Integrated Science, Chemistry I, Physics I, Physics of Technology I
  • 1 unit from the following: Aerospace Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics II, Physics of Technology II, Agriscience II, Anatomy and Physiology, an additional course from the physical science cluster, or a local science elective approved by BESE
    • Students may not take both Integrated Science and Physical Science
    • Agriscience I is a prerequisite for Agriscience II and is an elective course

Social Studies - 3 Units

  • Civics (1 unit) or 1/2 unit of Civics and 1/2 unit of Free Enterprise. Note: Students entering the ninth grade in 2011-2012 and beyond must have one unit of Civics
  • U.S. History
  • One of the following: World History, World Geography, Western Civilization, or AP European History

Health - 1/2 Unit

  • JROTC I and II may be used to meet the Health Education requirement provided the requirements in Section 2347 of Bulletin 741 are met.

Physical Education - 1 1/2 Units

  • Physical Education I and Physical Education II, or Adapted Physical Education for eligible special education students. A maximum of 4 units of Physical Education may be used toward graduation
  • NOTE: The substitution of JROTC is permissible


Education for Careers or Journey to Careers* - 1 Unit

Electives - 7 Units

Shall include the minimum courses required to complete a Career Area of Concentration,* including Education for Careers or Journey to Careers

Total - 24 Units


*Take effect for incoming freshmen in 2010-2011 and beyond

LA Core 4 Curriculum

(Incoming Freshmen in 2008-2009 and beyond)

English - 4 Units

  • English I, II, III, IV

Math - 4 Units

  • Algebra I, Applied Algebra I, or Algebra I-Pt. 2
  • Geometry or Applied Geometry
  • Algebra II
  • Remaining unit from the following: Financial Math, Math Essentials, Advanced Math/Precalculus, Advanced Math-Functions and Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Math, or a local math elective approved by BESE

Science - 4 Units

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • 2 units of the following: Physical Science, Integrated Science, Physics I, Physics of Technology I, Aerospace Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics II, Physics of Technology II, Agriscience II, Anatomy and Physiology, or a local science elective approved by BESE*
    • Students may not take both Integrated Science and Physical Science
    • Agriscience I is a prerequisite for Agriscience II

Social Studies - 4 Units

  • Civics (1 unit) or 1/2 unit of Civics and 1/2 unit of Free Enterprise. Note: Students entering the ninth grade in 2011-2012 and beyond must have one unit of Civics
  • U.S. History
  • 1 unit from the following: World History, World Geography, Western Civilization, or AP European History
  • 1 unit from the following: World History, World Geography, Western Civilization, AP European History, Civics (second semester - 1/2 credit), Law Studies, Psychology, Sociology, or African-American Studies*

    NOTE: Students may take 2 half credit courses for the fourth social studies unit.

Health - 1/2 Unit

  • JROTC I and II may be used to meet the Health Education requirement provided the requirements in Section 2347 of Bulletin 741 are met.

Physical Education - 1 1/2 Units

  • Physical Education I and Physical Education II, or Adapted Physical Education for eligible special education students. A maximum of 4 units of Physical Education may be used toward graduation
  • NOTE: The substitution of JROTC is permissible

Foreign Language - 2 Units

  • 2 units from the same foreign language or 2 units of speech

Arts - 1 Unit

  • 1 unit of Arts (§2333), Dance (§2337), Media (§2354), Music (§2355), Theatre Arts (§2369) or Fine Arts Survey. *

Electives - 3 Units

Total - 24 Units

*Approved IBC-related course may be substituted for the 4th science or social studies or for the art course if the course is in the student’s career area of concentration. (for Core 4 students only)

English - 4 Units

  • English I, English II
  • The remaining unit shall come from the following:
    • Technical Reading and Writing
    • Business English
    • Business Communications
    • Using Research in Careers (1/2 credit)
    • American Literature (1/2 credit)
    • Film in America (1/2 credit)
    • English III
    • English IV
    • Senior Applications in English
    • A course developed by the LEA and approved by BESE

Math - 4 Units

One of the following:
  • Algebra 1 (1 unit) or
  • Algebra 1-Part 1 and Algebra I-Part 2 (2 units) or
  • Applied Algebra (1 unit)
  • The remaining units come from the following: Geometry or Applied Geometry, Technical Math, Medical Math, Applications in Statistics and Probability, Financial Math, Math Essentials, Algebra II, Advanced Math-Pre-Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, or local course(s) approved by BESE

Science - 3 Units

  • Biology
  • 1 unit from the following Physical Science cluster: Physical Science, Integrated Science, Chemistry I, ChemCom, Physics I, or Physics of Technology I
  • The remaining unit shall come from the following: Food Science, Forensic Science, Allied Health Science, Basic Body Structure and Function, Basic Physics with Applications, Aerospace Science, Earth Science, Agriscience II, Physics of Technology II, Environmental Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Science, Biotechnology in Agriculture, Environmental Studies in Agriculture, Health Science II, EMT-Basic, an additional course from the Physical Science cluster, or local course(s) approved by BESE

Social Studies - 3 Units

  • U.S. History
  • Civics (1 unit) or 1/2 unit of Civics and 1/2 unit of Free Enterprise. Note: Students entering the ninth grade in 2012 and beyond must have one unit of Civics
  • 1 unit from the following: Child Psychology and Parenthood Education, Law Studies, Psychology, Sociology, World History, World Geography, Western Civilization, Economics, American Government, African American Studies, or local course(s) approved by BESE

Health - 1/2 Unit

  • JROTC I and II may be used to meet the Health Education requirement provided the requirements in Section 2347 of Bulletin 741 are met.

Physical Education - 1 1/2 Units

  • JROTC may be substituted.

Career and Technical Education - 7 Units

  • Education for Careers or Journey to Careers
  • 6 credits required for a career Area of Concentration

Total - 23 Units

LA Core 4 (2011-2012)

  • 4 Units of English
  • 4 Units of Math
  • 4 Units of Science
  • 4 Units of Social Studies
  • 1/2 Unit of Health
  • 1 1/2 Units of PE
  • 1 Unit of Art
  • 2 Units of Speech or Foreign Language
  • 3 Electives including Computer-Related Course

High School Area of Concentration

Students must complete four elective credits in an area of concentration and two related elective credits. The areas of concentration shall be developed locally and approved by BESE.

GEE

Pass all four components with a score of Basic or above OR one of the following combinations with the English Language Arts score at Basic or above:

  • Approaching Basic, 1 Mastery or Advanced, Basic or above in the remaining two
  • Approaching Basic, 2 Mastery or above

GPA/ACT

TOPS Opportunity GPA (2.5); ACT of 20 (or state average) or Silver Level on WorkKeys

Other Performance Indicators

  • BESE-approved IBC; OR 3 college hours in a career technical area that articulate to a postsecondary institution, either by actually obtaining the credits and/or being waived from having to take such hours; AND
  • A minimum of 90 work hours of work-based learning experience OR a Senior Project related to student's area of concentration with 20 hours of related work-based learning and mentoring

LA Core 4 + (2011-2012)

  • 4 Units of English (English 1, II, III, IV)
  • 4 Units of Math (Algebra I, or Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Algebra II, and one of: Advanced Math I or II, Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Probability & Statistics, or Discrete Math)
  • 4 Units of Science (Biology, Chemistry, one Advanced Science, and one other Science)
  • 4 Units of Social Studies (Civics (1) or 1/2 unit of Civics and 1/2 unit of Free Enterprise; U.S. History; 1 unit from the following: World History, World Geography, Western Civilization, or AP European History; and, one additional social studies course)
  • 1/2 Unit of Health
  • 1 1/2 Units of PE
  • 1 unit of Arts (§2333), Dance (§2337), Media (§2354), Music (§2355), Theatre Arts (§2369) or Fine Arts Survey.
  • 2 Units of Foreign Language
  • 3 Units of Electives

High School Area of Concentration

Students satisfy this requirement by completing the Core Courses listed above.


Assessment Performance Indicator

Students graduating prior 2013-2014 shall:

Pass all four components with a score of Basic or above OR one of the following combinations with the ELA score at Basic or above:
  1. Approaching Basic, 1 Mastery or Advanced, Basic or above in the remaining two
  2. Approaching Basic, 2 Mastery or above

GPA/ACT

TOPS Opportunity GPA (2.5); ACT of 23

Other Performance Indicators

  • Senior Project OR
  • 1 Carnegie unit in an AP course and attempt the AP exam OR
  • 1 Carnegie unit in an IB course and attempt the IBC exam OR
  • 3 college hours of non-remedial credit in core area (Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, or ELA)
AP: Advanced Placement
BESE: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
ELA: English Language Arts
GPA: Grade Point Average
IBC: Industry-Based Certification
LEA: Local Education Agency
PE: Physical Education
TOPS: Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students

Related Links

Forms

Contact Information

  • Debbie Schum
    Executive Director, College & Career Readiness
    225.342.3352
  • Nancy Beben
    Director, Curriculum Standards
    Ph. 225.342.3355
  • René Greer
    Director, Public Affairs
    Ph. 225.342.3600
    Ph. 877.453.2721
  • LDOE Call Center
    Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
    Ph. 1.877.453.2721
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