WAC 180-51-061   Minimum requirements for high school graduation -- Students entering the ninth grade as of July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2009.  (1) The statewide minimum subject areas and credits required for high school graduation for students who enter the ninth grade or begin the equivalent of a four-year high school program as of July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009, shall total 19 as listed below.

     (a) Three English credits (reading, writing, and communications) that at minimum align with grade level expectations for ninth and tenth grade, plus content that is determined by the district. Assessment shall include the tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning beginning 2008.

     (b) Two mathematics credits that at minimum align with mathematics grade level expectations for ninth and tenth grade, plus content that is determined by the district. Assessment shall include the tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning beginning 2008.

     (c) Two science credits (physical, life, and earth) that at minimum align with grade level expectations for ninth and tenth grade, plus content that is determined by the district. At least one credit in laboratory science is required which shall be defined locally. Assessment shall include the tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning beginning 2010.

     (d) Two and one-half social studies credits that at minimum align with the state's essential academic learning requirements in civics, economics, geography, history, and social studies skills at grade ten and/or above plus content that is determined by the district. The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area is to be determined by the local district although state law requires districts to have "assessments or other strategies" in social studies at the high school level by 2008-09. In addition, districts shall require students to complete a classroom-based assessment in civics in the eleventh or twelfth grade also by 2008-09. The state superintendent's office has developed classroom-based assessment models for districts to use (RCW 28A.230.095). The social studies requirement shall consist of the following mandatory courses or equivalencies:

     (i) One credit shall be required in United States history and government which shall include study of the Constitution of the United States. No other course content may be substituted as an equivalency for this requirement.

     (ii) Under the provisions of RCW 28A.230.170 and 28A.230.090, one-half credit shall be required in Washington state history and government which shall include study of the Constitution of the state of Washington and is encouraged to include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian people who were the first inhabitants of the state.

     (A) For purposes of the Washington state history and government requirement only, the term "secondary student" shall mean a student who is in one of the grades seven through twelve. If a district offers this course in the seventh or eighth grade, it can still count towards the state history and government graduation requirement. However, the course should only count as a high school credit if the academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes and the course would qualify for high school credit, because the course is similar or equivalent to a course offered at a high school in the district as determined by the school district board of directors (RCW 28A.230.090(4)).

     (B) The study of the United States and Washington state Constitutions shall not be waived, but may be fulfilled through an alternative learning experience approved by the local school principal under written district policy.

     (C) Secondary school students who have completed and passed a state history and government course of study in another state may have the Washington state history and government requirement waived by their principal. The study of the United States and Washington state Constitutions required under RCW 28A.230.170 shall not be waived, but may be fulfilled through an alternative learning experience approved by the school principal under a written district policy.

     (D) After completion of the tenth grade and prior to commencement of the eleventh grade, eleventh and twelfth grade students who transfer from another state, and who have or will have earned two credits in social studies at graduation, may have the Washington state history requirement waived by their principal if without such a waiver they will not be able to graduate with their class.

     (iii) One credit shall be required in contemporary world history, geography, and problems. Courses in economics, sociology, civics, political science, international relations, or related courses with emphasis on current problems may be accepted as equivalencies.

     (e) Two health and fitness credits that at minimum align with current essential academic learning requirements at grade ten and/or above plus content that is determined by the local school district. The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area is to be determined by the local district although state law requires districts to have "assessments or other strategies" in health and fitness at the high school level by 2008-09. The state superintendent's office has developed classroom-based assessment models for districts to use (RCW 28A.230.095).

     (i) The fitness portion of the requirement shall be met by course work in fitness education. The content of fitness courses shall be determined locally under WAC 180-51-025. Suggested fitness course outlines shall be developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. Students may be excused from the physical portion of the fitness requirement under RCW 28A.230.050. Such excused students shall be required to substitute equivalency credits in accordance with policies of boards of directors of districts, including demonstration of the knowledge portion of the fitness requirement.

     (ii) "Directed athletics" shall be interpreted to include community-based organized athletics.

     (f) One arts credit that at minimum is aligned with current essential academic learning requirements at grade ten and/or above plus content that is determined by the local school district. The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area is to be determined by the local district although state law requires districts to have "assessments or other strategies" in arts at the high school level by 2008-09. The state superintendent's office has developed classroom-based assessment models for districts to use (RCW 28A.230.095). The essential content in this subject area may be satisfied in the visual or performing arts.

     (g) One credit in occupational education. "Occupational education" means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate competency of skills under student learning goal four and which skills are required for success in current and emerging occupations. At a minimum, these competencies shall align with the definition of an exploratory course as proposed or adopted in the career and technical education program standards of the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area is determined at the local district level.

     (h) Five and one-half electives: Study in a world language other than English or study in a world culture may satisfy any or all of the required electives. The assessment of achieved competence in these subject areas is determined at the local district level.

     (i) Each student shall complete a culminating project for graduation. The project shall consist of the student demonstrating both their learning competencies and preparations related to learning goals three and four. Each district shall define the process to implement this graduation requirement, including assessment criteria, in written district policy.

     (j) Each student shall have a high school and beyond plan for their high school experience, including what they expect to do the year following graduation.

     (k) Each student shall attain a certificate of academic achievement or certificate of individual achievement. The tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning and Washington alternate assessment system shall determine attainment.

     (2) State board of education approved private schools under RCW 28A.305.130(5) may, but are not required to, align their curriculums with the state learning goals under RCW 28A.150.210 or the essential academic learning requirements under RCW 28A.655.070.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.215(8), 28A.230.090. 08-18-013, § 180-51-061, filed 8/22/08, effective 9/22/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.230.090. 07-07-051, § 180-51-061, filed 3/14/07, effective 4/14/07; 04-23-004, § 180-51-061, filed 11/4/04, effective 12/5/04; 04-04-092, § 180-51-061, filed 2/3/04, effective 3/5/04; 01-13-114, § 180-51-061, filed 6/20/01, effective 7/21/01; 00-23-032, § 180-51-061, filed 11/8/00, effective 12/9/00.]