I-7350      IKF  
GRADUATION  REQUIREMENTS

Regular  Education

A minimum of twenty six (26) units of credit aligned to the state academic content and performance standards as listed below are required for graduation beginning with students entering the ninth (9th) grade in 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.  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 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 and the Portfolio of Standards requirements determined by the Zuni Public School District Board of Education.

   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 graders in 2009-2010 at least one (1) unit of the following twenty-six (26) 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 [1] 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
Health       0.5 unit
Physical Education       1.0 unit
Fine Arts or Practical Arts      1.0 unit
Career Cluster, Workplace Readiness, or Language
   other than English      1.0 unit
Advanced Placement or Honors Program, a Dual
   Credit Course or Distance Learning Course............   1.0 unit
*Electives including
student service learning         7.0 units
Total       26.0 units

*For students entering the eighth (8th) grade in the 2012-13 school years, a course in health education is required prior to graduation.

A student shall develop and file an updated final next-step plan during the senior year and prior to graduation that conforms to 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-weeks grading period of their students 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:   February 28, 2011

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