Graduation Requirements for Students in Public High Schools

PURPOSE: This rule establishes minimum graduation requirements for public schools. (1) High School Graduation Requirements. Twenty-four (24) units of credit are required for graduation. The requirements are stated in terms of the number of units of credit that must be earned in each subject area: Subject Area Units of Credit Communication Arts 4.0 Social Studies 3.0 Mathematics 3.0 Science 3.0 Fine Art 1.0 Practical Arts 1.0 Physical Education 1.0 Health Education .5 Personal Finance .5 Electives 7.0 Total Credits 24.0 (2) The minimum high school graduation requirements should focus on competencies and align with the Missouri Learning Standards. The Missouri Learning Standards are located on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. (3) Local Board Policies. Local boards of education must adopt and disseminate written policies concerning graduation. The policies must clearly set forth all requirements and all allowable variations. Local graduation policies must include at least the state minimum requirements and may exceed the state minimums by requiring more total units of credit, requiring more units within a particular subject, or establishing additional requirements. (4) Accommodation of Students with Disabilities: Local school boards must establish policies and guidelines that ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity to earn credits toward graduation in a non-discriminatory environment. (5) Variances and Substitutions. The state minimum graduation requirements cannot be applied with absolute uniformity in every case. Students’ individual situations sometimes require consideration of variances and alternatives. If a local board chooses to allow these variances and alternatives, it must do so through officially adopted policies and procedures that will ensure fair and consistent application of its policies. AUTHORITY: section 161.092, RSMo 2016.* This rule previously filed as 5 CSR 50-345.300. Original rule filed June 30, 2005, effective Jan. 30, 2006. Moved to 5 CSR 20-100.190, effective Aug. 16, 2011. Amended: Filed Nov. 15, 2018, effective June 30, 2019. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014.