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Effective for the graduating class of 2012, the State Board of Education adopted revised criteria for the Diploma with Honors at its January 2012 board meeting.
Beginning with students starting in high school in the fall of 2008, students must complete one of three pathways to qualify for the Diploma with Honors. The criteria for the Academic Pathway remain unchanged from 2007. The criteria for the Career-Technical Education Pathway include "advanced science" courses that qualify as part of the science requirement. A third pathway has been established for students who have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program as qualifying criteria for the Diploma with Honors.
Procedurally, the awarding of the new Diplomas with Honors has not changed. School counselors and parents are encouraged to review the qualifying criteria found in the link below to direct the graduating class of 2012 and beyond in taking the appropriate coursework.
The student who completes the high school Academic Pathway must meet at least seven of the following eight criteria:
- Earn four units of English;
- Earn at least four units of mathematics which shall include algebra I, algebra II, geometry and another higher level course, or a four-year sequence of courses which contains equivalent content;
- Earn at least four units of science including one unit of physics and one unit of chemistry;
- Earn four units of social studies;
- Earn three units of world languages (must include no less than two units for which credit is sought), i.e., three units of one world language or two units of two different languages;
- Earn one unit of fine arts;
- Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale up to the last grading period of the senior year; or
- Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American college testing services' ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing test) or a combined score of 1210 on the College Board's SAT verbal and mathematics sections (excluding the required writing section).
The student who completes an intensive Career-Technical Education Pathway must meet at least seven of the following eight criteria:
- Earn four units of English;
- Earn at least four units of mathematics which shall include algebra I, algebra II, geometry and another higher level course, or a four-year sequence of courses which contains equivalent content;
- Earn at least four units of science, including two advanced sciences;
- Earn four units of social studies;
- Earn four units in a career-technical education program that leads to an industry-recognized credential, results in an apprenticeship or is part of an articulated career pathway, which can lead to post secondary credit. If the student's program design does not provide for any of these outcomes, then the student must achieve the proficiency benchmark established for the applicable Ohio career-technical competency assessment or the equivalent;
- Achieve the proficiency benchmark established for the Ohio Career-Technical Competency Assessment (available at http://www.webxam.org/info_docs.asp, with additional content available by clicking here ) or equivalent assessment aligned with state-approved and industry validated technical standards;
- Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale up to the last grading period of the senior year; or
- Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American college testing service's ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing test) or a combined score of 1210 on the college board's SAT verbal and mathematics sections (excluding the score obtained on the required writing section).
The student who completes the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Pathway must meet at least seven of the following eight criteria:
- Earn four units of English, plus the two required International Baccalaureate essays;
- Earn at least four units of mathematics which shall include algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and another higher level course, or a four-year sequence of courses which contains equivalent content;
- Earn at least four units of Science including bilogy, chemistry and at least one additional advanced science;
- Earn four units of Social Studies;
- Earn four units minimum of Foreign Languages, including at least two units in each language studied;
- Earn one unit of Fine Arts;
- Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale up to the last grading period of the senior year;
- Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American college testing services' ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing test) or a combined score of 1210 on the College Board's SAT verbal and mathematics sections (excluding the required writing section).
To satisfy the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, the student also must complete criterion-referenced assessments in a minimum of six academic disciplines. Additionally, the International Baccalaureate track to the Honors Diploma requires full completion of all requirements for an IB Diploma Program including the Theory of Knowledge Course in metacognition, the Extended Essay project and the 150-hour Creativity, Action and Service (Service-Learning) requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any unit requirements specified in social studies criteria?
The Ohio Revised Code provides that one-half unit of American history and one-half unit of government is included in the requirements for graduation by every Ohio high school.
How are traditional courses (e.g., biology, physics and chemistry) correlated with the science criterion?
Many schools have revised the science curriculum and now offer "integrated science" courses. Science educators recommend that students be required to complete a curriculum that addresses earth, life and physical sciences, regardless of what the courses are named. Your school district curriculum department can verify science content.
Have the science requirements for the Career-Technical Education Diploma with Honors changed?
Yes. Since some career pathways require different science courses, the Career-Technical Education Pathway requires two advanced sciences to fulfill those qualifying criteria.
What courses constitute "advanced sciences"?
Advanced science refers to courses in the Ohio Core that are inquiry-based with laboratory experiences and align with the 11/12th grade standards (or above) or with an AP science course, or with the new high school syllabi, or with an entry-level college course (clearly preparing students for a college freshman-level science class, such as anatomy, botany, or astronomy), or contain material above the current OGT level.
Can a student replace the Diploma with Honors chemistry and physics requirement with another rigorous science course? For example, if a student takes AP Biology, could that course replace the physics requirement for science?
No. Students graduating in 2011 and beyond must complete four units of science, including physics and chemistry, to successfully complete the Academic Diploma with Honors requirements.
Have current foreign language requirements changed?
Yes. The Career-Technical Diploma with Honors no longer calls for any foreign language requirements to be completed. However, the high school Academic Diploma with Honors still requires three units of foreign language with at least two units in each course studied.
Would two units in one foreign language and a single unit in two other foreign languages meet the foreign language requirement?
No. Three units in the same language or two units in two other foreign languages are needed to meet that requirement.
May courses in American Sign Language be used to meet the foreign language requirement?
Yes, American Sign Language may count toward the foreign language requirement if offered for credit.
How is the grade point average calculated?
The student must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. If a district's grading policy includes the use of weighted grades in calculating a student's grade point average, (e.g., awarding five points for an "A" in an honors course), then the district must convert the weighted grade to the GPA equivalent on a 4.0 scale to determine if the GPA criterion for the Diploma with Honors has been met.
Do you round up to determine the GPA?
No. The GPA must be a minimum of 3.50 to qualify for the Diploma with Honors.
What is meant by “up to the last grading period of the senior year”?
Students can meet grade point average (GPA) criteria by having a total GPA of at least 3.50 at mid-year of their senior year, in accordance with district policy regarding graduation from high school.
Do courses taken in the postsecondary education options program count toward the Diploma with Honors?
Yes. Diploma with Honors rules specifically allow for postsecondary options to count toward Diploma with Honors credit. Caution: Check with the school to determine how PSEO units are calculated.
Can a student exempted from the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) earn a Diploma with Honors?
Yes. An exempted student may earn a Diploma with Honors provided he or she meets all IEP requirements and the specified number of criteria for a Diploma with Honors.
May a student who graduates under the OGT alternate pathway receive a Diploma with Honors?
Yes. Ohio Revised Code 3313.615 allows students who pass four of the five OGT and meet other criteria to receive a diploma or a Diploma with Honors. For more information regarding the alternate pathway to graduation, click here.
Do advanced courses taken in middle or junior high school count toward meeting Diploma with Honors criteria?
Every high school may permit students below the ninth grade to take advanced work for credit. The high school will count this advanced work toward the requirements for a diploma only if the coursework is designated by the local board of education as meeting high school curriculum requirements and has been taught by an individual who possesses a valid high school teaching certificate or license.
May integrated mathematics courses in which all topics or standards of mathematics are taught in every course be used to meet the mathematics criteria?
Yes. Students may meet the criteria by completing a four-year sequence of integrated mathematics courses when these courses include competencies equivalent to or exceeding those contained in the algebra I, algebra II, geometry and a fourth course higher than algebra II sequence.
Can a district require students to apply for a Diploma with Honors?
No. Students cannot be required to apply for the Diploma with Honors. Districts must award the Diploma with Honors to any student who has met the established criteria.
Are school districts permitted to award any other types of Diplomas with Honors?
No. The academic and vocational criteria for Ohio's Diploma with Honors are specified in Section 3301-16-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
May a student earn a regular diploma and a Diploma with Honors?
No. Students may earn only one diploma. A student eligible to receive a Diploma with Honors may not receive a regular diploma.
Does the Diploma with Honors replace the Award of Merit?
No. The State Board of Education's Award of Merit provides outstanding college preparatory (high school academic) and career-technical education students with an opportunity to receive extra recognition for their total educational achievements. Students who meet the criteria for the Award of Merit and the Diploma with Honors may receive both.
How long will the Award of Merit be available?
The Award of Merit will be available through school year 2012-2013.
Please explain the law on Physical Education requirements?
Yes. Starting April 4, 2007, updates to the Ohio Revised Code allow school districts to adopt a policy exempting students who participate in athletics, marching band or cheerleading for two full seasons, or two years of junior reserve officer training corps (JROTC), from the physical education requirement.
Sec. 3313.603 (L) reads, “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, the board of education of each school district and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school may adopt a policy to excuse from the high school physical education requirement each student who, during high school, has participated in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons or in the junior reserve officer training corps for at least two full school years. If the board or authority adopts such a policy, the board or authority shall not require the student to complete any physical education course as a condition to graduate. However, the student shall be required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least sixty hours of instruction, in another course of study. In the case of a student who has participated in the junior reserve officer training corps for at least two full school years, credit received for that participation may be used to satisfy the requirement to complete one-half unit in another course of study.”
Does a student have to fulfill all criteria to earn a Diploma with Honors?
No. The Ohio Revised Code stipulates that students be required to fulfill all but one criterion. The number of criteria from the original Diploma with Honors has been changed. Students graduating in 2011 and after must fulfill seven of eight criteria for either diploma.
Do the ACT and SAT test score requirements include the writing sections?
No. Ohio Administrative Code dictates that the ACT or SAT scores need to be solely comprised of sections that do not include the writing section.
Can the ACT composite be composed from scores from different test administrations?
Yes. If a student takes the ACT more than once, the highest scores from each of the test administrations may be combined to create a single composite score.
Can the IB Certificate Program be used to qualify for the Diploma with Honors?
No. A student must complete the IB Diploma Program to qualify through the IB Pathway for the Diploma with Honors.
What defines a “Fine Arts” unit?
The disciplines of the fine arts are dance, drama/theatre, music and visual art and can be located in the Fine Arts Academic Content Standards. In addition, specific courses are located below under each discipline. For more information, including course descriptions and certification type and code, click here.
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Dance
- Introduction to Dance
- Comprehensive Dance
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Visual Art
- Visual Art (9-12)
- Art Appreciation
- Art History
- Design
- Crafts
- Ceramics
- Drawing and Painting
- Photography and Film Making
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Advanced Visual Art
- Graphic Arts/Unified Arts
- AP Studio Art – Drawing
- AP Studio Art – 2D Design
- AP Studio Art – 3D Design
- AP Art History
- Other Visual Art Course
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Drama/Theatre
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Music
- General Music
- Music Theory
- Vocal/Choral Music
- Instrumental Music
- Music Appreciation
- AP Music Theory
- Other Music Course
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