What It Takes to Earn an Ohio Diploma

Class of 2007 and beyond

There are testing requirements and curriculum requirements connected with the Ohio diploma; students must meet both requirements in order to earn an Ohio diploma.  A district may require additional/specific courses in addition to the state minimum requirements.

 

I. Curriculum Requirements (state minimum)

English language arts: 4 units             Health: ½ unit             Mathematics: 3 units            

Physical education: ½ unit                  Science: 3 units*            Social studies: 3 units**

Electives: 6 units***

* Science units must include 1 unit of biological sciences and 1 unit of physical sciences.

** Social Studies units must include ½ unit of American history and ½ unit of American government.

*** Electives units must include 1 unit or 2 half units in Business/Technology, Fine Arts, or Foreign language.

 

II. Graduation Tests Requirements

For Students Who Need to Pass the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT):

A) Notify student and parents about:

·         Importance of earning a diploma

·         Need to meet both testing and curriculum requirements to earn a diploma

·         Any additional local graduation requirements

·         District’s policy about participation in commencement ceremony

 

B) How to access information (test blueprints, previous tests) on the web about OGT:

• http://www.ode.state.oh.us and enter OGT in the search box

 

C) OGT test administrations before graduation:

·         Spring of 10^th grade

·         Summer between 10^th and 11^th grade (optional)

·         Fall and spring of 11^th grade

·         Summer between 11^th and 12^th grade (optional)

·         Fall and spring of 12^th grade

 

D) How to access previous graduation tests:

• OGT Reading and Mathematics

• http://www.ode.state.oh.us and enter previous OGT tests in the search box

 

III. Alternative Way to Meet the Testing Requirements

A student may meet the testing requirements for passing all five Ohio Graduation Tests if he/she meets ALL of the following criteria:

• Passes 4 of the five tests and has missed passing the 5^th test by no more than 10 points;

• Has a 97 % attendance rate, excluding any excused absences, through all four years of high school and must not have had an expulsion in high school;

• Has at least a grade point average of 2.5 out of 4.0 in the courses of the subject area not yet passed;

• Has completed the high school curriculum requirement;

• Has participated in any intervention programs offered by the school and must have had a 97 % attendance rate in any programs offered outside the normal school day; and

• Has letters recommending graduation from the high school principal and from each high school teacher in the subject area not yet passed.

 

NOTE: As specified in the Ohio Revised Code (Section 3313.615), this alternate way to meet the testing requirement only applies to students graduating after September 15, 2006.