File:  IKF - Graduation Requirements

In pursuit of its mission to ensure that all students reach their learning potential and are prepared for postsecondary and career opportunities, the Board of Education has established the following graduation requirements for students entering the ninth grade in the 2017-18 [or 2018-19] school year and each ninth grade class thereafter.

To receive a high school diploma from the district, students must meet or exceed the district's academic standards and measures required by this policy. Students with disabilities must be provided access to all graduation pathways provided by this policy and must have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma from the district.

College and career readiness

The Colorado State Board of Education has adopted state graduation guidelines that identify college and career readiness measures in English and Math. The Board has selected its own measures from these state graduation guidelines.

Students must complete at least one English measure and one Math measure and meet or exceed the measure's corresponding cut score or criteria to demonstrate college and career readiness in English and Math. The Board's approved measures and cut scores are outlined in this policy's accompanying exhibit.

The Colorado State Board of Education has adopted state graduation guidelines that identify college and career readiness measures in English (Reading, Writing, and Communicating) and Math (Mathematics). The Board has selected its own measures from these state graduation guidelines.

Students must complete at least one English measure and one Math measure and meet or exceed the measure's corresponding cut score or criteria to demonstrate college and career readiness in English and Math. The Board's approved measures and cut scores are outlined in this policy's accompanying exhibit.

Exceptions to the Board's required measures and cut scores/criteria

If a student has demonstrated college and career readiness by completing an assessment or other measure that is not included in this policy's accompanying exhibit but is included in the state graduation guidelines, the principal or principal's designee may determine that such assessment or other measure is acceptable and meets the district's graduation requirements.

Courses required for graduation

All students must meet or exceed the district's academic standards prior to becoming eligible to graduate or complete the requirements and goals as listed on a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), which may include modified academic standards.

Graduation from high school is a culminating event that results from the foundations built at the elementary and middle levels. Graduation is a collaborative effort among levels in a student's public school career. Each level of school and each staff member or parent/guardian who instructs or counsels a student shares responsibility for the ultimate ability of that student to demonstrate proficiency in the district's academic standards and to meet the expectations for graduation.

The course load for seniors on track to graduate must be a minimum of three credits (six classes) during the first semester. Second semester course load requirements shall be based on the student's proficiency, credit requirements to graduate and the student's ICAP plan. However, students that are participating in athletics must remain enrolled in and pass at least 2.5 credits (five classes), to remain eligible for participation.

Students in good standing who have completed 26 or more units of credit shall be graduated on recommendation of the high school principal.

The completion of 26 credits in grades nine through twelve in the prescribed categories listed below is required.

The following graduation requirements during the transition of implementation of these revised requirements will be:

Graduating Class of 2024 - 24.5 credits required (.5 required advisement credit)

Graduating Class of 2025 - 25 credits required (1.0 required advisement credit)

Graduating Class of 2026 - 25.5 credits required (1.5 required advisement credit)

Graduating Class of 2027 - 26 credits required (2.0 required advisement credit)

Credit from other institutions and home-based programs

All students entering from outside the district must meet the district's graduation requirements. The principal must determine whether credit toward graduation requirements will be granted for courses taken outside the district. Students who are currently enrolled in the district and wish to obtain credit from outside institutions, or through "online" programs, must have prior approval from the principal.

The district must accept the transcripts from a home-based educational program. In order to determine whether the courses and grades earned are consistent with district requirements and district academic standards, the district must require submission of the student's work or other proof of academic performance for each course for which credit toward graduation is sought. In addition, the district may administer testing to the student to verify the accuracy of the student's transcripts. The district may reject any transcripts that cannot be verified through such testing.

Independent study

Independent study, work experience and experienced-based programs approved in advance by the principal may be taken for high school elective credit. Students must submit a request for approval that includes a summary of the educational objectives to be achieved and monitored by a faculty member.

Years of attendance/early graduation

The Board of Education believes that most students benefit from four years of high school experience and are encouraged not to graduate early. However, in some cases, students need the challenge provided by postsecondary education or other opportunities at an earlier age. Therefore, the graduation committee may grant permission to students wishing to graduate early, provided the student has met all district graduation requirements.

In order to be granted a Yuma High School diploma, a senior must have successfully met graduation credit requirements and have been enrolled for at least the full second semester prior to graduation or have attended the majority of his high school experience at Yuma High School.

STEM DIPLOMA ENDORSEMENT:

In 2017 the Colorado Legislature passed a bill which allowed school districts to offer a specialized STEM diploma if students met the requirements outlined in the bill. These requirements include maintaining a 3.5 GPA, completing 12 courses in the STEM areas of Science, technology, engineering and math; obtaining a designated score on the math section of a standardized test such as the SAT, and the completion and professional presentation of a capstone research project.

Adopted:  May 23, 1974
Revised:  February 22, 1979, May 13, 1982, October 28, 1982, July 9, 1987, May 12, 1988, November 26, 1991, July 12, 1999, November 8, 1999, April 8, 2002, February 9, 2004, March 14, 2005, March 10, 2008, June 14, 2010, October 30, 2017,  September 20, 2021, July 25, 2022, June 19, 2023

LEGAL REFS.:   C.R.S. 22-1-104 (teaching history, culture, and civil government)

C.R.S. 22-1-104.7 (2)(a) (requirement to incorporate Holocaust and Genocide studies standards into existing course required for graduation)

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(kk) (Board to establish graduation requirements that "meet or exceed" state graduation guidelines)

C.R.S. 22-32-132 (discretion to award diploma to honorably discharged veterans)

C.R.S. 22-33-104.5 (home-based education law)

C.R.S. 22-35-101 et seq. (Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act)

CROSS REFS.: AE, Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment

AEA, Standards Based Education

IHBG, Home Schooling

IHBK*, Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

IHCDA, Concurrent Enrollment

IK, Academic Achievement

IKA, Grading/Assessment Systems