Graduation 101
• Some tips on what to do and what Not to
do to be sure you graduate this year and
make the most of your life after High
School.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
SUBJECT AREA
STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL
4-YEAR PROGRAM
CREDITS REQUIRED
English or English Through ESOL
4.0
Mathematics
3.0
Science
3.0
World History
1.0
American History
1.0
American Government
0.5
Economics
0.5
Fine Arts
0.5
Vocational/Career
0.5
Physical Education
1.0
Major and Minor, or Electives
8.0
Total Number of Credits Required
24
State Assessment Requirement
Passing score on the Grade 10 FCAT
GPA Requirement
Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a
4.0 scale
What Credits do you need?
• 24 CREDIT OPTION
• ENGLISH/ESOL 4 credits (major concentration in
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composition & literature and reading for information)
MATHEMATICS 3 credits (Algebra I, Geometry, &
1 courses at the Algebra I level or higher)
SCIENCE 3 credits (Earth/Space Science, Biology, &
Chemistry or Physical Science)
SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 credits (World History, American
History, American Government, & Economics)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE Not required (foreign language
credit is required for admission to State University .
What Credits do you need?
• FINEARTS 0.5 credit
• PRACTICAL ARTS/CAREER &TECHNICAL
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EDUCATION 0.5 credit
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 0.5 credit
PERSONAL FITNESS 0.5 credit
ELECTIVES 8 credits (4 credits must be in the student’s
academy; remaining credits may be used for another
academy, other elective courses, or intensive reading or
mathematics courses)
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) 2.0
Diploma Options:
Standard Diploma
• A standard diploma will be awarded to graduates, if the
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student has earned the required credits and attained the
grade point average for the graduation program
selected.
Also, students must pass the Grade 10 Florida
Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) SSS.
The purpose of the standard diploma is to certify that
the student has met all district and state standards for
graduation.
A special education student will be awarded a standard
diploma if all of the criteria for a standard diploma have
been met by that student.
Certificate of Completion
• A student who is enrolled in the 4-year, 24-credit
option and has met all requirements for
graduation except passing the Grade 10 FCAT, or
earning the 2.0 GPA required for graduation
shall be awarded a certificate of completion. A
student may make further attempts to meet the
requirements for a standard diploma.
CPT – Eligible Certificate of
Completion
• Students who earn the 24 required graduation credits
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and achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher, but do not pass the
grade 10 FCAT, are eligible to receive the Common
Placement Test (CPT) – eligible certificate of completion.
Students who receive the CPT – eligible certificate of
completion may enroll directly into a Florida community
college or postsecondary career and technical education
program.
Based upon the score the student receives on the CPT,
the student may enroll in remedial or credit courses at
the community college.
If you have Not Passed the FCAT
• In order to make sure you graduate you will:
• Take the FCAT in October and then you will have
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one more chance in March there is also a June
test for Seniors.
If you still don’t pass you may be able to use
your SAT or ACT score to help you graduate.
If you have not taken the SAT/ACT sign up now!
Don’t wait until you get FCAT Scores to decide to
take the SAT/ACT it may be too late.
SAT & ACT Test DATES
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SAT
ACT
Oct. 4
Oct. 25
Nov.1
Dec.13
Dec.6
Feb. 7
January 24
April 4
March 14
June 14
May 2
June 6
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
SAT Facts
• The SAT is offered seven times a year in the United States and six times at
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international sites. The test:
Takes three hours and 45 minutes
Consists of 10 separately timed sections:
– Three sections test critical reading (70 minutes total)
Three sections test mathematics (70 minutes total)
– Three sections test writing (60 minutes total)
– One variable (un-scored) section tests critical reading, mathematics, or
writing (25 minutes total)
Assesses critical thinking and problem solving skills in three areas:
– Critical reading
– Mathematics
– Writing
SAT Facts
• Includes three kinds of questions:
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– Multiple-choice questions
– Student-produced responses (mathematics only)
– Essay question
Is machine-scored, except for the essay
Why should students take the SAT?
Students and parents often ask why it is important to take the SAT. Reasons
include:
All colleges accept the SAT as an objective measurement of students'
college readiness.
Used with GPAs and high school transcripts, SAT scores allow colleges to
fairly compare applicants.
Taking the SAT gives students access to scholarship opportunities.
Most colleges require an admissions test like the SAT
ACT FACTS
• The ACT (No Writing) consists of four multiple-choice
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tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The
ACT Plus Writing includes the four multiple-choice tests
and a Writing Test.
The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test,
covering: Usage/Mechanics Punctuation, grammar and
usage, sentence structure and Rhetorical Skills, strategy,
and organization style.
The ACT Mathematics Test is a 60-question, 60-minute
test designed to measure the mathematical skills
students have typically acquired in courses taken by the
end of 11th grade.
ACT FACTS
• The Reading Test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that
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measures your reading comprehension. You're asked to read
four passages and answer questions that show your
understanding of: what is directly stated statements with
implied meanings
The Science Test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that
measures the skills required in the natural sciences:
interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem
solving. You are not permitted to use a calculator on the
Science Test.
• The Writing Test is a 30-minute essay test that measures your
writing skills—specifically those writing skills emphasized in high
school English classes and in entry-level college composition
courses.
SAT and ACT Fees
• ACT regular deadline fee: $31.00
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Late deadline fee: add $20.00
ACT Plus Writing: $46.00
SAT regular deadline fee: $45.00
Late deadline fee: add $22.00
SAT Subject test fee: Varies. Basic registration
fee is $20.00 plus cost of subject tests.
Some Myths
• Your midterms and Finals don’t affect your
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grades-Wrong!!!
While they may not affect your grade for the
nine weeks it does affect your final grade for the
year in the class.
So if you fail some midterms expect to do better
in the 3rd GP to make up for those F’s or you
may not have enough points to pass.
Some Myths
• An F in an elective PE, woodshop, Drivers Ed, art
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etc doesn’t count –False!
Or an F in an elective isn’t as bad as an F in the
Core English math etc- So False!!
While an Elective credit can usually be made up
by another elective not necessarily the same
exact class, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t go
into your GPA.
All F’s go into your GPA and count the same.
They are all Bad!!!!!
Some Myths
• D’s are a passing grade. So as long as I get D’s I am ok•
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True and False.
While D’s are a passing grade and it means you got
credit for the class D’s only give you 1 point for your
GPA.
You need a 2.0 to graduate so getting all D’s or mostly
D’s will give you a 1.0 GPA or something in the 1.0
range.
That will not cut it for graduation!!!!
If you have a lot of D’s you may need to start retaking
some of those classes so that you can achieve a 2.0
Aim for at least C’s and you will be safe.
A Rule to Follow
• If your GPA is currently at a 2.0 be sure you get all C’s or
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better so that you will graduate. You can’t afford D’s or
F’s.
If your GPA is below a 2.0 you will need to get A’s and
B’s this year and try to retake some classes for
forgiveness.
Otherwise you will not make the 2.0 mark by June.
Remember A’s and B’s boost your GPA C’s only keep your
GPA at the same level,
D’s and F’s lower your GPA.
The better you do now the less you will have to worry
about at the end of the year.
Passing your classes
• In authorized semester courses, the student's final grade
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shall be determined as follows: 40 percent value for each
of two nine-week grading periods and 20 percent value
for the final examination.
In authorized annual courses, the student's final grade
shall be determined as follows: 20 percent value for each
of four nine-week grading periods, 10 percent value for
the midterm exam, and 10 percent for the final exam.
In order to pass an annual course in grades 9-12, a
student will earn a minimum of 10 grade points, of
which a minimum of five must be earned in the second
semester.
10 Point Rule
• According to Miami-Dade County Public Schools
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in order to pass a class for the year you must
earn a total of 10 points in that class for the
year.
However, at least 5 points must be earned in
the second semester (Jan.-June) to pass.
This is how it is calculated: Whatever you earn
in Grading Period 1,2,3,4 is doubled.
Whatever you earn in the Midterm and Final
counts only once.
10 Point Rule
• Get good grades every grading period so it all
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doesn’t have to ride on one test or on one
grading period.
Be consistent. If you started the school year bad
its important for you to know what grades you
need from here on out to pass.
Study for Midterms and Finals THEY MAKE a
DIFFERECE.
10 Point Rule
• EX: You earn a C in English in the 1st
Grading Period you double that which
equals 4 pts. You earn a D in the 2nd GP
(x2)=2 pts. You earn a C in the midterm
that equals 2 points. You earn a B in 3rd
GP (x2) =6 pts. Earn a C in the 4th GP
(x2) = 4 pts. Then a D on the Final = 1
pt. Add it all up. It equals 19 points.
5 Point Rule
• Use this formula with your own grades to know
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if you will have enough points to pass.
Many students fail a class because they do
not earn 5 points in the second semester
or because they have had low grades all
year and NEED a high grade on the Final to
pass the year and they don’t get it.
Don’t put yourself in that situation.
5 Point Rule
• Let me give you an example of a senior
who didn’t graduate last year because he
thought he was passing English and he
didn’t!
• GP1= B, GP2=C MT=C GP3=D GP4=D
Final=F Total Points for the year=16
• So why did he fail?
5 Point Rule
• He only had 4 points for the second
semester!
Forgiveness Policy
• For senior high school students the forgiveness policy for required courses
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is limited to replacing a grade of “D”or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher
earned subsequently in the same or comparable course.
The forgiveness policy for elective courses is limited to replacing a grade of
“D” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in another
course.
In either situation when a student attempts forgiveness for a grade, the
higher of the two grades will be used to compute the student’s GPA.
When it is replaced, the lower grade will not be used to compute the
student’s GPA, but will remain on the student’s transcript and in the
student’s permanent record.
Any course not replaced according to this policy shall be included in the
calculation of the cumulative grade point average required for graduation.
Florida Virtual School
• Senior high school students are eligible to enroll in the
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Florida Virtual School.
The courses offered are teacher facilitated and available
throughout the state.
Courses are based upon the same criteria as those
taught in the standard high school program and,
therefore, generate the same credit for students.
Students must visit the Florida Virtual School website at
www.FLVS.NET to enroll in courses.
A guidance counselor and a parent/guardian must also
visit the website to finalize the registration process for
the student.
Adult Education/Night School
• A good way to make up credits is by attending night
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school.
Falcons can attend night school in our neighborhood
schools since we do not offer it here at Ferguson.
Braddock, Varela, and Sunset are the nearby schools
that offer Night school.
The next semester starts in January the same week we
return from Winter break so be sure to sign up with your
counselor before the break.
Registration usually starts the first week of December so
make an appointment with your counselor early so you
can get a spot!
ATTENDANCE POLICY*
• There is probably no factor more important to successful school
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progress than regular school attendance.
Students who are absent excessively from the instructional program
will fall behind in academic achievement.
Excessive school absenteeism can result in course failure.
The attendance policy is established by the School Board. Highlights
of the attendance rules are as follows:
A secondary student accumulating ten or more unexcused class
absences in an annual course or five or more unexcused absences in
a semester course will be subject to the withholding of final credit,
pending a student/parent-requested administrative screening and/or
review of all absences by the attendance review committee.
ATTENDANCE Review
• An attendance review committee is established in each
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school.
The committee consists of three or more school
personnel who have the responsibility to review student
attendance petitions during the last week of the
course(s) and recommend the:
• Issuing of final grades;
• Temporary withholding of final grades pending makeup
assignments; or
• Permanent withholding of final grades and credit.
Excused Absences
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The following are considered excused absences:
Student illness
Medical appointment
Death in family
Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for
all members of a faith that such a holiday or service be observed
School sponsored event or activity previously approved
Educational or enrichment activity that is not a school-sponsored
event, as determined and approved by the principal or designee
Other individual student absences or tardies beyond the control of
the parent or the student as approved by the principal.
Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court
appearance.
Absences Defined
• Student illness: Students missing 5 or more consecutive days of
school due to illness or injury are required to provide a written
statement from a health care provider.
• The written statement must include all days the student has been
absent from school.
• If a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school
due to a specific medical condition, he or she must be under the
supervision of a health care provider in order to receive excused
absences from school.
• Medical appointment: If a student is absent from school due to a
medical appointment a written statement from a health care
provider indicating the date and time of the appointment must be
submitted.
Unexcused Absences
• All other absences or tardies not listed above are considered unexcused.
• The student is expected to:
• Take advantage of his/her educational opportunity by attending all classes
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punctually on a daily basis.
Provide the school with a written explanation for any absence/tardiness.
Any student who has been absent from school will be marked unexcused
absent until he/she submits required documentation,
Failure to provide required documentation within three school days
upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence.
Request the make-up assignment for all excused absences/tardies from
his/her teachers upon his/her return to school or class.
It should be noted that all class work, due to the nature instruction, is not
readily subject to make-up work.
Complete the make-up assignments for classes missed within a reasonable
amount of time.
Failure to make up all assignments will result in lower assessment of the
student’s academic and/or effort grade.
Submit a completed “Petition to Appeal Withholding of Final Passing
Grades” to the individual responsible for the screening process if needed.
Recognition at Graduation
• The levels of the Academic Recognition Program are as
follows:
• Cum Laude: the upper 15% of the graduating class,
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excluding the Summa and Magna Cum Laude
students, using a weighted GPA or students who have a
4.0 GPA or higher.
Magna Cum Laude: the upper 10% of the graduating
class, excluding the Summa Cum Laude
students, using a weighted GPA.
Summa Cum Laude: the upper 5% of the graduating
class using a weighted GPA.
Superintendent's Diploma of
Distinction
• This diploma will be awarded to students who are enrolled in the 4-
year, 24-credit option and complete an academically rigorous course
of study.
• The requirements include at least four honors, Advanced Placement,
International Baccalaureate and/or Advanced International
Certificate of Education courses;
• Completion of 75 hours of community service, which includes
identification of a social problem of interest, development of a
plan for personal involvement in addressing the problem and,
through papers and other presentations, evaluate, and reflect upon
the experience.
• All students must earn a 3.5 GPA (weighted scale) by the end of the
first semester of the senior year with no final grade less than a "C."
CAREER PLANNING / COLLEGE
ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS
• In completing their postsecondary education plans, students may find it
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advisable to complete one or more of the standardized tests listed below
which are used for college admissions, career planning, placement in
college courses, and/or eligibility for scholarships.
Recommended grade levels during which tests should be taken are shown
in parenthesis ( ).
1. ACT: American College Testing Program (11, 12)
2. ASVAB: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (11, 12)
3. PLAN : Preliminary ACT (10)
4. PSAT: Preliminary SAT (10, 11)
5. SAT I: Reasoning Test – formerly the Scholastic Assessment Test (11, 12)
6. SAT II: Subject Tests – formerly the Scholastic Assessment Test (11, 12)
7. CPT: College Placement Test (10, 11, or 12)
Florida's Bright Futures
Scholarship Program
• The Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes a
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lottery-funded scholarship for Florida high school
graduates based on academic achievement, who enroll
in eligible Florida postsecondary institutions.
The scholarship may be used for either full-time or parttime enrollment and is renewable.
Requirements for all scholarship levels include:
Be a Florida resident and a U. S. citizen or eligible noncitizen;
Authorize the release of eligibility information to the
Florida Department of Education;
Florida's Bright Futures
Scholarship Program
• Earn a Florida high school diploma or its equivalent from
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a Florida public or private high school;
Successfully complete certain courses while attaining the
grade point average specified in the scholarship type;
Be accepted by and enroll in an eligible Florida
postsecondary education program;
Be enrolled for at least six (6) semester credit hours or
the equivalent;
Not have been found guilty of, nor pled no contest to a
felony charge;
Apply for a scholarship from the program prior to high
school graduation by completing the online Florida
Financial Aid Application.
• Use the award within three years of high school graduation.
Florida Academic Scholars
(FAS)
• 15 College Preparatory Credits
• 3.5 Weighted GPA (based on the Statewide Florida Bright
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Futures Scholarship Program Weighting
System)
1270 SAT or 28 ACT
75 Community Service Hours
Students who earn the Florida Academic Scholars award
and attend a Florida technical center, community
college, or university will receive: Public Institution –
100% of tuition and fees (including lab fees up to $300
per semester) plus $300 for college-related expenses
(excluding summer term) prorated by terms and hours.
Florida Academic Scholars
(FAS)
• Private Institution – Fixed award amount based on 100%
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of the average tuition and fees covered at a
comparable Florida public institution including the $300
per semester provided for college-related expenses
prorated by term and hours.
Academic Top Scholars Award – The high school senior
with the highest academic ranking in each county shall
receive a $750 award per semester (excluding summer
term), in addition to the Florida Academic Scholars
Award, prorated by term and hours.
Florida Gold Seal Vocational
Scholars (GSV)
• 3.0 weighted GPA (based on the Statewide Florida Bright
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Futures Scholarship Program Weighting System) in the
15.5 core credits required for high school graduation
A minimum of 3 Career Technical Education JobPreparatory or Career Technical Education credits in one
career technical education program
3.5 un-weighted GPA in a minimum of 3 vocational
credits in one vocational program
Earn a minimum score on each subsection of the CPT
(Reading-83, Sentence Skills-83, Algebra-72),
SAT(Verbal-440, Math-440), or ACT(English-17, Reading18,Math-19)
Florida Gold Seal Vocational
Scholars (GSV)
• Students who earn the Florida Gold Seal
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Vocational Scholars award and attend a Florida
technical center, community college, or
university will receive:
Public Institution – 75% of tuition and fees
(including lab fees up to $300 per semester).
Private Institution – Fixed award amount based
on 75% of the average tuition and fees covered
at a comparable Florida public institution
prorated by term and hours.