District Newsletter: Graduation Requirement Update for High School Students

Changes to graduation requirements affect students, families, and school counselors significantly. When a district communicates these changes clearly and in time for families to plan, it reduces confusion and ensures students do not arrive at senior year with unexpected gaps in their credit history.

What Changed

The state has updated graduation requirements effective for students entering ninth grade in [year]. The changes include [describe specific changes: a new computer science requirement, an updated health education requirement, a change in the number of elective credits required, or a new project-based learning graduation requirement]. Students currently in [grades] will follow [prior or new requirements based on your state's phase-in policy].

Which Students Are Affected

Students entering ninth grade in [year] or later must meet the new requirements. Students currently in grades 10-12 complete their diploma under the requirements in place when they entered ninth grade. If you are unsure which requirements apply to your student, contact their school counselor. Counselors have a personalized credit review available for every student.

What the New Requirements Mean for Course Planning

The new graduation requirements affect course selection starting in ninth grade. [Describe specific course planning implications: students must take a computer science course before graduation; students must now take a second year of world languages; students must document a service learning project of at least [hours]]. Counselors at the high school level are scheduling individual meetings with affected students to review their four-year plans.

Credit Equivalency and Transfer Students

Students who transfer from another state or district may have credits that satisfy the new requirements or may need additional courses. Counselors review transfer transcripts individually and determine how out-of-district credits apply to graduation requirements. If your family has recently moved, contact the counselor at your student's new school as soon as enrollment is complete.

A Sample Graduation Requirements Newsletter Excerpt

"The state has updated graduation requirements for students entering ninth grade starting this fall. Here is what changed: [list changes]. Students currently in high school are not affected. Incoming freshmen and their families should review the new requirements with their counselor before the school year begins. Here is a link to the updated requirement chart."

Graduation Requirement Resources

The updated graduation requirement chart, course catalog, and a four-year planning template are available at [URL]. Translation is available in [languages]. Families who want to schedule a counseling appointment to review their student's plan can do so at [URL] or by calling the high school counseling office.

Questions

Contact your student's school counselor with questions about how the updates apply to your student. Daystage newsletters link directly to the graduation requirement chart and counselor scheduling tool.