High School Graduation Requirements in Your State Are Different
A number of years ago I did some research to find out how high school graduation requirements differed from state to state. I did this because more and more families from out of state were joining our diploma program. I wanted to know how our requirements compared. Were they too demanding, too easy, too many, too few? If followed, what did our standards prepare a student for? Would our graduates be ready for college, trade school, or immediate entry into the work? We simply needed the facts. Our advisors wanted to guide our families with the correct information.
Graduation requirements are…. controversial?
Recently, we decided it was to time to poll the states once again to see what had changed. Just this last week I discovered the work had been done. A member of a Facebook group I’m a part of posted a link showing graduation requirements for each state. At a glance, you could see the number of units required to graduate broken down subject by subject. Simple and easy to read. I’ll be sharing that link with you in a moment.
But first, I need to let you know that this information wasn’t well received by many of the other members, at the least the more vocal ones.
Comments like:
- Why are you promoting public school standards?
- We have no mandate to follow public school standards!
- The organization that complied this information is scary and dangerous.
- Your promotion of the organization that compiled this information concerns me.
Why all the froth and foam at the mouth over a spread sheet? It could be that critical comments like the above reveal how insecure the commenters are in the position they hold. How do we often control a conversation? Often by raising our voice and speaking faster. I get that because I’ve done it myself. It’s a common default when we think we’re losing control of a situation. Not a productive one, though.
So anyway, here’s the link to graduation requirements, state by state: https://www.achieve.org/publications/state-state-graduation-requirements-class-2015
How should you use this information?
Here are three thoughts.
First of all, see it simply as information. Facts for you to use or not use however you wish. No obligation implied.
Second, don’t burden yourself with it. However, If your student plans on attending college, I’d pay attention. These standards were not conceived in an educational vacuum. They link to college admission requirements. And, these requirements vary from college to college so you need to do your homework.
Third, and finally, follow the principle of “filleting the fish.” By that, I mean keep what’s good and toss the rest. Be discerning. I don’t know much about Achieve, the organization that complied the information. Are they “in bed” with Common Core Standards or are they independent and non-partisan as they claim? I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter to me. Again, keep what’s good and worth keeping, and toss the rest.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Our graduation requirements are meant to be rigorous, academic, and to prepare students for whatever comes next. If you’re interested in learning more about our diploma program, inquire today.
