File: IKF - Graduation Requirements

NOTE: State law requires each local Board of Education to establish high school graduation requirements that "meet or exceed any minimum standards or core competencies or skills identified in the state's guidelines for high school graduation requirements. . . ." C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(kk)(II). This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the Board should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

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.

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 and students involved in the criminal justice system 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

NOTE 1: State law requires local Boards to adopt graduation requirements that demonstrate English and Math readiness in accordance with the state graduation guidelines. C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(kk)(II).

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

NOTE 2: A local Board may choose to require students to complete specific courses as part of its graduation requirements and identify them here. Please note that state law requires all students to satisfactorily complete a course on the civil government of the State of Colorado and the United States (civics). C.R.S. 22-1-104. State law also encourages districts to treat computer science and coding courses as a math or science course and count completion of a computer science or coding course toward the fulfillment of a math or science graduation requirement. C.R.S. 22-32-133.5 (3).

School districts must incorporate the academic standards on Holocaust and Genocide studies into an existing course that is currently a condition of high school graduation. C.R.S. 22-1-104.7 (2)(a).

Local Boards also should be mindful of any specific course requirements for college admission and other postsecondary and workforce opportunities. For information about the admission standards for postsecondary education in Colorado, visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education's website. For information about postsecondary and workforce readiness, visit the Colorado Department of Education website.

Units of Credit Required for Graduation

NOTE 3: The state's graduation guidelines do not require students to earn a specific number of credits prior to graduating. As a result, this section is optional. If the Board chooses to include credit requirements in its graduation policy, these credit requirements should be identified here.

Credit from Other Institutions and Home-Based Programs

NOTE 4: The following paragraph is optional. However, if the Board chooses to require specific courses to receive a high school diploma from the district, CASB recommends including a section addressing how students transferring from outside the district are able to meet this requirement.

Students entering from outside the district must meet the district's course requirements. The principal or principal's designee must determine whether credit toward course requirements will be granted for courses taken outside the district.

NOTE 5: The following paragraph is optional and may be included if the district has entered into an agreement with a community college or junior college to operate a "dropout recovery program" pursuant to C.R.S. 22-35-109.5.

In accordance with applicable state law, college courses completed pursuant to the student's participation in a "dropout recovery program" must count as credit toward completion of the district's credit requirements.

Early Graduation

NOTE 6: The following paragraph illustrates how a district may express its goals for students who become eligible to graduate early from high school. It is optional and should be revised to meet local circumstances or omitted if not applicable.

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 are ready for postsecondary education or other opportunities prior to completing four years of high school. Therefore, the superintendent or designee may grant permission to students wishing to graduate early, provided the student has met all district graduation requirements in accordance with this policy and its accompanying exhibit.

(Adoption date)

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)

C.R.S. 22-108-103 et seq. (justice-engaged student’s bill of rights)

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

NOTE 7: A "pathways in technology early college high school," or p-tech school, may have different high school graduation requirements from those of the district. C.R.S. 22-35.3-103 (5).

NOTE 8: The district may grant a diploma endorsement in areas such as:

1) STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), in accordance with the statutory criteria in C.R.S. 22-7-1009.3 (2); and

2) biliteracy, in accordance with the statutory criteria in 22-7-1009.5 (2) and (3).

NOTE 9: The district may seek to participate in the workforce diploma pilot program, aimed at providing coursework to adults so that they may earn their high school diploma. C.R.S. 22-10.3-101 et seq.

[Revised June 2024]