New graduation requirements went into effect this year for Ohio students entering ninth grade on or after July 1, 2019. The updated system is intended to give students more flexibility to choose their graduation pathway. This is achieved by allowing standardized test alternatives and a variety of diploma seals from which students may choose two.
The new requirements are:
- Students must earn a minimum of 20 credits in core subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
- Students must earn passing scores on standardized Algebra I and English II tests.
- Instead of testing, a student may choose one of the following options:
- Complete two career-focused activities
- Enlist in the military
- Complete one college-level English or Math class
- Students must show readiness by earning two diploma seals.
- Instead of testing, a student may choose one of the following options:
The new system removes two tests from the graduation requirements, Geometry and English I. These requirements are intended to be permanent and apply to all future high school students. The classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 will also have the option to graduate by meeting the new requirements.
Over the past decade, Ohio graduation requirements changed many times. Ending with the class of 2017, students most often had to pass the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) to earn their high school diploma. For the Class of 2018, the state required more difficult exams for graduation, but quickly allowed additional graduation options such as having a 2.5 GPA and a 93% attendance rate in their senior year.
Later, Ohio adopted the Three Pathways option to replace five Ohio Graduation Tests. To replace the OGT, a student graduating in 2022 and before could, 1) Earn 18 graduation points on Ohio’s State Tests; 2) Earn a remediation-free score on the ACT or SAT; 3) Score “work ready” on the WorkKeys and earn a 12-point, approved industry-recognized credential.
