I-7350     ©     IKF
GRADUATION  REQUIREMENTS

Regular  Education

Ninth grade class of 2009-2010 and after.  A minimum of twenty-four (24) units of credit aligned to the state academic content and performance standards as listed below are required for graduation for those beginning with the ninth (9th) grade class of 2009-2010.  A student may receive a high school diploma of excellence after having demonstrated accomplishment of the standards or a portfolio of standards-based indicators in mathematics, reading and language arts, writing, social studies, and science adopted by the Secretary of Public Education.  A student may also receive the Seal of Bilingual-Biliteracy on the diploma of excellence and have it noted on the school transcript by studying and attaining proficiency in a language other than English.  If a student exits from the school system at the end of grade twelve (12) without having satisfied the above requirements, the student shall receive an appropriate state certificate indicating the number of credits earned and the grade completed.  If within five (5) years after a student exits from the school system, the student satisfies the requirements listed, the student may receive a high school diploma of excellence.  Graduation requirements shall not be changed for a student entering the ninth (9th) grade from the requirements specified in law at the time the student enrolled in the ninth (9th) grade.

Graduation requirements may be met as follows:

•     By successful completion of subject area course requirements.

•     By mastery of the standards or a portfolio of standards-based indicators adopted by the Secretary of Public Education in accordance with 6.19.7 NMAC and other competency requirements for the subject as determined by the Board.

•     By earning credits through correspondence courses that meet graduation requirements and/or by passing appropriate courses at the college or university level if the courses are determined to meet standards and criteria established by the Board.

Graduation requirements are:

For students entering as ninth (9th) graders in 2009-2010 at least one (1) unit of the following twenty-four (24) units must be earned in an advanced placement or honors program, a dual-credit course or distance learning course.

English (grammar, nonfiction writing
     and literature emphasis)               4.0 units***
Math (one [1] equal to algebra II or higher
     unless parents sign off and a financial literacy
     course may meet one of the required units)               4.0 units*  ***
Science ( two [2] with a laboratory component )               3.0 units*  ***
United States History and Geography,
     World History and Geography, and
     Government and Economics and one-
     half (1/2) unit of New Mexico History                3.5 units
Physical Education or marching band or Jr. ROTC
or NMAA sanctioned interscholastic sports               1.0 unit
Career cluster course, workplace readiness
     or language               1.0 unit
Electives including student service learning               7.5 units**
Total           24.0 units

*For students entering the ninth (9th) grade in the 2017-2018 school year and after, a course in computer science may satisfy either a unit of mathematics or science, but not both, if taken after competency is determined in the subject for which the unit is applied.

**For students entering the eighth (8th) grade in the 2012-2013 school year and after, a course in health education is required prior to graduation.

***A department-approved work-based training or career and technical education course that meets state academic content and performance standards in English, mathematics, or science shall qualify as one (1) of the requirements needed for graduation in each of these areas.

A student shall develop and file an updated final next-step plan during the senior year and prior to graduation that conforms with the requirements for a student curriculum plan pursuant to 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978.  The plan shall explain any differences from previous interim next-step plans, shall be filed with the principal of the student's high school and shall be signed by the student, the student's parent or guardian and the student's guidance counselor or other school official charged with coursework planning for the student.  An individualized education program (IEP) filed with the principal that meets the applicable transition and procedural requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act for qualified students shall satisfy the next-step requirements for that student.

Final examinations shall be administered to all students in all classes offered for credit.

Parents are to be notified in writing not later than the conclusion of the third (3rd) nine (9)-weeks grading period of their student's senior year if the student is at risk of not meeting all graduation requirements.  Progress reports are to be provided to parents and students at each grading period.

A high school student required to transfer to an out-of-state school by the transfer of the student's parents, who are members of the New Mexico National Guard or the armed forces of the United States, may request that a diploma be issued by the New Mexico high school of transfer.  The student must meet the guidelines and comply with the requirements of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated regarding military dependent transfers and their courses and grades must meet or exceed New Mexico's requirements for graduation as determined by the School District.

Special  Education

Listed above, under "Regular Education," are the requirements that must be completed before a student may receive a high school diploma or diploma of excellence.  Completion of graduation requirements for special education students who do not meet the required units of credit shall be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the special education course of study and the individualized education program of the student.

Adopted:     July 9, 2019

LEGAL REF.:     22-13-1.1 NMSA (1978)
22-13-1.4 NMSA (1978)
6.19.7 NMAC
6.29.1.9 NMAC

CROSS REF.:     IGD - Curriculum Adoption
IGE - Curriculum Guides and Course Outlines
IHA - Basic Instructional Program
IIE - Student Schedules and Course Loads
IKA - Grading/Assessment Systems
JFABC - Admission of Transfer Students
JG - Assignment of Students to Classes