Cobb County School District
Form IHF-3
Empowering Dreams for the Future
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
STUDENTS ENROLLING IN THE NINTH GRADE
PRIOR TO THE 1993-1994 SCHOOL YEAR
Graduation Requirements
IHF (1)
5/9/07
This policy establishes high school graduation requirements for students enrolling
in the ninth grade prior to the 1993-1994 school year.
The Cobb County School District recognizes the importance of assuring an adequate
educational opportunity for each Cobb County student. This goal is to be supported by
quality secondary school programs which promote personal development, academic growth,
and career preparation. Such programs are to be based on a broad, flexible curriculum
which addresses each student's needs, interests and abilities.
The Cobb County School District defines as a major role of the system's high school
program the responsibility for providing the youth of Cobb County with opportunities to
acquire and to apply basic skills. These skills are defined as those which enable one to
address effectively and efficiently the decisions and opportunities presented in a
technological society.
(1) Requirements for Regular High School Graduation
Requirements for regular high school graduation from the Cobb County School District shall
meet or exceed all standards as set forth by the State Board of Education and the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. Students shall be eligible for graduation from a Cobb
County senior high school upon completion of a course of study in grades nine through
twelve which includes the following specified courses, areas of study and elective courses in
the Graduation Requirements. In addition to course requirements, students must meet the
State assessment requirements.
(2) Determining appropriate Graduation Requirements
The requirements for graduation shall be determined for a student according to those in
effect the year the student entered the ninth grade. The student who fulfills the
requirements established for his entering high school class shall be graduated regardless of
the number of years needed to complete those requirements.
(3) Procedures for Awarding Carnegie Units of Credit
Carnegie unit credit is granted only for work completed in grades 9-12. Course credit is
awarded by Carnegie units for courses of study based on 150 clock hours of instruction.
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Semester programs offer 75 clock hours of instruction for one-half unit of credit.
(4) Remedial Courses
Any remedial unit credit must be included among the elective credit units. Specified courses
or areas of study for which credit is given must include skills and concepts generally
considered to be of a secondary educational level. However, developmental special
education courses are not considered remedial.
(5) Attendance Requirements
Attendance is required for high school students until age 16 in accordance with those
specified in state law and State Board of Education policies. For high school students who
are under 16 years of age, private schools or home study programs are an accepted
alternative to regular public school attendance. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of
five credit courses each semester as they progress toward high school graduation.
(6) Core Curriculum
The Cobb County School District adopts the state core curriculum and recognizes a general
diploma and seals of endorsement in college preparatory and vocational education. Specific
programs of study are outlined in the enclosed chart entitled "Programs of Study."
(7) Secondary School Credentials
The Cobb County high school diploma shall be the official document certifying completion of
attendance, Carnegie Units, the State assessment requirement, and other requirements for
high school graduation. The Cobb County High School Certificate of Performance shall be
awarded to pupils who do not complete all of the criteria for a diploma but who meet
requirements for attendance and Carnegie Units. Special Education diplomas shall be
awarded to students who meet provisions of their individualized education plans.
(8) Programs of Study
Cobb County students are provided the opportunity to follow one of the three state
programs of study; general, college preparatory and vocational education. A formal seal of
endorsement from the Georgia Board of Education is awarded to those students who
successfully complete the endorsed course of study for college preparatory or vocational
education.
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Required Area of Study
General7
English and
4 Units including:
Language Arts
2 Units Grammar/Composition
1 Unit Literature
2 Unit American Literature
College Preparatory
4 Units Including:
2 Units Grammar/Composition
including Advance
Composition
Vocational
4 Units Including:
2 Units Grammar/Composition
1 Unit Literature
2 Unit American Literature
2 Units Literature with
2 Unit American Literature
Additional emphasis in
English & World Literature
Mathematics
2 Units
3 Units
2 Units
1 Unit Algebra I
1 Unit Geometry
1 Unit Algebra II
Science
2 Units Including:
1 Unit Biological Science
2 Unit Physical Science
3 Units Including:
1 Unit Biological Science
1 Unit Physical Science
2 Units Including:
1 Unit Biological Science
2 Unit Physical Science
Additional courses from
Biology, Chemistry, or
Physics
Social Studies
3 Units
3 Units
3 Units
and Economics
1 Unit World Studies
1 Unit World History
1 Unit in World Studies
(World History and/or
1 Unit U. S. History
(World History and/or
Geography)
2 Unit American Government
Geography)
1 Unit U.S. History
2 Unit Principles of Economics
1 Unit U. S. History
Foreign Language
2 Unit American Government
2 Unit American Government
2 Principles of Economics
2 Unit Principles of Economics
No Requirement
2 Units in One Foreign Language
No Requirement
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Health and Physical Education
Business, Computer Technology,
1 Unit
1 Unit
1 Unit
2 Unit Contemporary Health
2 Unit Contemporary Health
2 Unit Contemporary Health
Issues
Issues
Issues
2 Unit Becoming Physically
2 Unit Becoming Physically
2 Unit Becoming Physically
Educated
Educated
Educated
1 Unit
1 Unit
1 Unit
No Requirement
No Requirement
4 Units Including:
Vocational Education,
Fine Arts, ROTC, Home
Economics
Vocational Education
(Students who complete the college 3 Units in one of the following:
preparatory program may also
receive the vocational education
endorsement with at least four units Business or Computer Tech
from among the vocational program
offerings.)
Home Economics
Work Programs
Agricultural, Occupational,
Technical and Trade
1 Unit may include CVAE
Other Courses
8 Units
4 Units
4 Units
Courses strongly recommended
Courses strongly recommended
Courses strongly recommended
are mathematics, science,
are advanced English, advanced
are mathematics, science,
mathematics, advanced science,
foreign language, fine arts, computer
foreign language, fine arts,
technology, and vocational
education.
computer technology, and
foreign language, fine arts,
computer technology, and
vocational education.
vocational education.
Total
21 Units Minimum
21 Units Minimum
(9) Planned Off-Campus Experiences
(a) Joint Enrollment for High School Seniors - See policy IHF (2)
(b) Postsecondary Options - See Policy IDCJA
(c) Work Experience
Work experience credit is awarded for the work experience portion of vocational
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cooperative programs during the regular school year up to a maximum of one unit per
semester.
(10) Diploma Options for Seniors Entering Cobb County Schools
A senior who transfers to a Cobb County school from a high school not accredited by a
regional or state accrediting agency must meet all Cobb County graduation requirements in
order to receive a standard diploma from the Cobb County School District.
(a) A senior who transfers to a Cobb County school from a high school accredited by a
regional or state accrediting agency whose transcript indicates that meeting Cobb County
graduation requirements is not possible during the remainder of his senior year may be
awarded a diploma from his former school upon completion of the former school's
requirements and with written consent from the principal of that school. This student may
participate in Cobb County graduation exercises.
(b) A senior who transfers to a Cobb County school and is unable to meet graduation
requirements based on a full schedule of six (6) courses per semester may be awarded the
state basic diploma through Cobb County Adult Education Program. This student may not
participate in Cobb County graduation exercises.
(11.) Effective Date for These Requirements
These graduation requirements shall be in effect for the 1989-90 ninth grade class. The
graduating glasses of 1990, 1991, and 1992 shall adhere to requirements of this policy
prior to its 1988 revision.
(12) Local Authority and Responsibility
The Cobb County School District has established an instructional support services and
delivery system to monitor high school graduation requirements.
These include:
(a) An ongoing guidance component (advisement) beginning with the ninth grade for
familiarizing the student with graduation requirements and for examining the likely impact
of individual career objectives on the program of work he or she plans to follow; also, to
provide annual advisement sessions to report progress and offer alternatives in meeting
graduation requirements and career objectives.
(b) Record keeping and reporting services that document student progress toward
graduation and include information for the school, parents and students.
(c) Diagnostic and continuous evaluation services that measure individual student progress
in meeting competency expectations for graduation.
(d) Instructional programs, curriculum and planned course guides and remedial
opportunities to assist each student in meeting graduation requirements.
(e) Appropriate curriculum and assessment procedures for students who have been
identified as having handicaps which prevent them from meeting the prescribed
competency performance requirements.
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Adopted: 8/11/82
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Reclassified a Form: 5/9/07
Revised: 4/28/83; 1/26/84; 8/8/84; 7/25/85; 8/8/85; 7/10/86; 4/9/87; 12/14/88;
7/14/93; 7/28/94; 9/23/09
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