West Hartford Public Schools

• Schools
• Offices
• Calendars
• Resources
• News

POLICY 5430

Graduation Requirements

I. Introduction

To graduate from West Hartford Public Schools a student must have satisfactorily earned a minimum of 21.75 units of credit and must have met the credit distribution requirement. Students must also meet four performance standards: reading/writing, mathematics, and science as measured by the CAPT or other alternatives as outlined in the administrative regulations of this policy, and technology.

II. Credit Distribution

The following courses must be passed:

1. English 4 units
2. Mathematics 3 units
3. Science 2 units
   1 unit physical science
   1 unit life science
4. Arts and/or Technical Education 1 units
5. Social Studies 3 units
   1 unit in U.S. history
   1 unit in world civilization
   ½ unit in American government
   ½ unit elective
   Physical Education & Health 1.75 units
   Electives 7 units

Upon recommendation of the high school principal and approval of the Superintendent of Schools, this requirement for graduation may be met, in part, on an equivalency basis as designated in the administrative regulations.

III. District's Performance Standards

1. Reading/Writing: Students shall, prior to the completion of their senior year, produce an essay based upon an assigned reading that is focused, organized, elaborated and edited for Standard English conventions.
   
2. Math: Students shall, prior to the completion of their senior year, demonstrate an ability to perform mathematical operations, to include working with fractions and decimals, in order to solve multi-step problems in algebraic and applied settings. Certain tasks will either require students to explain their procedures or justify answers in writing.
   
3. Science: Students shall, prior to the completion of their senior year, demonstrate an ability to perform science investigational skills and competencies.
   
4. Technology: Students shall, prior to completion of their senior year, demonstrate technology competency through discipline-specific learning.

Upon graduation, each student who has met these requirements will be presented with a high school diploma.

Adopted: June 17, 2003
Reviewed: May 15, 2007