Sparking
the Future
KNOWING WHAT YOU NEED : COLLEGE ADMISSION VS. HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
GRADES: 9-10
LESSON: 7
LEARNING GOALS :
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
Students will identify the minimum course requirements for high school graduation.
Students will identify the minimum course requirements for college admission.
ALIGNMENT WITH STANDARDS :
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Essential Academic Learning Requirements Grades 9/10 Grade Level Expectations: This
lesson is aligned with Writing 1.5.1 and Educational Technology 1.3.2 and 1.3.3. Students
will develop materials in an appropriate format for a college search. They will locate,
analyze, and use information from college web sites.
Common Core State Standards Grades 9-10: This lesson is aligned with English Language
Arts Writing 4, 7, and 8. Students will prepare a short writing exercise and conduct a
focused research project using college web sites.
American School Counselor Association National Standards: This lesson is aligned with
ASCA Academic A1.2, A2.1, and B1.3. Students will display an interest in learning,
demonstrate task management skills, and apply the skills needed for academic success.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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Graduation Requirements Handout (included in this lesson plan)
OSPI Graduation Toolkit (project or print for students)
www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/GraduationToolkit.aspx
Internet Access – for students to research college admission requirements
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
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Rev 12/11
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
1. Explain high school graduation requirements. Ask students if they know what they need
to do to graduate from high school. Call on volunteers and note their answers on the
board. Then distribute or project the OSPI Graduation Toolkit and explain that to
graduate from high school in Washington State, a student must meet four requirements: (1)
complete a minimum number of course credits in specific subject areas; (2) pass the High
School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) and End-of-Course exams; (3) prepare a High School &
Beyond Plan; and (4) complete a Culminating Project. Explain that these are the MINIMUM
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 2
Rev 12/11
Sparking the Future | Grades 9-10 | Lesson 7
COLLEGE ADMISSION VS. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, continued
requirements to graduate from high school in Washington State. Then explain that your
own school district’s requirements may be higher, and share those. (5-10 minutes)
2. Explore course requirements. Next, explain that the MINIMUM needed to graduate from
high school is LESS than what is required to be admitted to most colleges. Distribute the
Graduation Requirements Handout. Point out the minimum high school course credit
requirements (for the class of 2013 and the new requirements that will take effect for the
class of 2016 – note that pending legislative approval and funding, there will be a 24credit requirement put in place in the future). Explain that these requirements represent the
minimum that students must do to graduate. Nearly any college will require more. In fact,
the four-year colleges in Washington State have set MINIMUM high school course
requirements that students must take to be eligible for admission. Point out these
requirements on the handout. Finally, note that some colleges have even higher
requirements for college admission. Discuss why it is a good idea to learn about those
course requirements early… when there is still time to take those courses. (10-15 minutes)
3. Research admission requirements for a college of interest. Next, have students work at
computers either individually or in small groups to research the high school course
requirements for a college they might be interested in attending. They can use the college
search function at the College Board’s web site (www.collegeboard.org) as a starting
point. Ask students to complete the handout’s chart, as well as the questions at the bottom
of the page. (10-15 minutes)
STUDENT PRODUCTS:

Graduation Requirements Handout. Students should complete the handout.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Your school may wish to send a copy of the OSPI Graduation Toolkit to each family to ensure
that all students and families understand what they must do to graduate. In addition, students and
their families can learn about high school graduation requirements and college admission
requirements at the remaining three listed sites:
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OSPI Graduation Toolkit:
www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/GraduationToolkit.aspx
Information for students, families, and teachers about high school graduation requirements.
State Board of Education: www.sbe.wa.gov
Minimum high school graduation requirements for Washington State
Higher Education Coordinating Board:
www.hecb.wa.gov/sites/default/files/RevisedMCASOverviewParents-April2011_1.pdf
Minimum college admission requirements for Washington State
College Board: www.collegeboard.org
College search to determine admission requirements for college of choice
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 3
Rev 12/11
Graduation
Requirements
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL?
HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE ADMITTED TO COLLEGE?
WA High School Graduation
Requirements (2013)
WA High School Graduation
Requirements (2016)*
Minimum WA College
Admission Requirements
Language Arts
3 credits
4 credits
4 credits
Mathematics
2 credits
3 credits
3 credits (incl math senior yr)
2 credits (1 lab)
2 credits (1 lab)
2 credits (2 labs)
2.5 credits
3 credits
3 credits
Visual & Performing Arts
1 credit
1 credit
1 credit
Health & Fitness
2 credits
2 credits
-
World Language
0 credits
0 credits
2 credits
Occupational Education
1 credit
1 credit
-
5.5 credits
4 credits
-
Subject Area
Science
Social Studies
Electives
My College Choice:
______________________
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 4
Rev 12/11
*Note: The 2016 high school graduation requirements were adopted by the State Board of Education in November 2011. Districts may seek a two-year extension to
implement the new Language Arts, social studies, and elective requirements (until the Class of 2018). In addition, the State Board of Education has adopted a 24-credit
requirement for high school graduation that will be phased in over time as funding allows. For more information, please visit the State Board of Education at:
www.sbe.wa.gov/documents/Graduation%20Requirements%20Overview%20Graphic.pdf.
How will your course load prepare you to meet the graduation requirements?
How will your course load prepare you for college?
What courses should you take over the next several years to prepare?
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 5
Rev 12/11