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• Which Option is Best for Me?
  18 or 24-Credit Graduation Options: Questions and Answers

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Requisitos de Graduación

 Opciones de Programas de 24-18 Créditos  Graduados del 2004

a. Cuatro créditos con la concentración en composición y literatura. Incluyendo cualquier curso con el código EN
En el Boletín de Estudios-1.

b. Para incluir Algebra I, una serie de cursos equivalentes al Algebra, o curso de matemáticas de nivel alto. Los estudiantes que entrán en noveno grado en Septiembre del 2000 o después de eso deberán de aprobar un crédito en Geometría
c. Tres créditos en matemáticas: Algebra I y cursos de matemáticas de un nivel alto.

d. Tres créditos incluyendo Algebra I.

e. Los estudiantes que entraron noveno grado en Septiembre 2000 o después de eso deberán de completar el curso de Ciencias de la Tierra/Espacio en noveno, Biología en 10mo, y Ciencias Física o Química en 11vo grado.

f. Tres créditos de los cuales dos deberán de tener un componente de laboratorio.

g. Para incluir un crédito en Historia Universal, un medio crédito en Historia Americana, un medio crédito en Gobierno Americano, y un medio crédito en Economía.

h. Tres créditos incluyendo estos códigos de cursos SS, WH, EC, AG, and AH en el Boletín de Estudios-1.
i. Cualquier curso tecnologíco (vocacional), Periodismo I, II, III, IV, o curso anual de educación en comupadoras aprobado por el distrito.

j. Deberá de aprobar el curso de Salud y Educación Fisica y un crédito adicional de Educación Fisica, curso semestral, que este aprobado por el distrito.

k. No es requerido para la graduación, pero es requerido para la admisión a la Universidad de cuatro años.

l. Dos créditos en el mismo idioma extranjero o demostrar competencia en el mismo idioma. Incluyendo cualquier curso con el código FL en el Boletín de Estudios-1 2003-2004.

m. Tres electivas niveles II o más alto.

n. Si el estudiante o padre no seleciona la opción de graduación, el estudiante será considerado como que seleccionó la opción regular.

Which option is best for me?

18 OR 24 Credit Graduation Options: Questions & Answers

1. How many graduation options does the state of Florida offer?

Three; they are:

• A four-year, 24-credit standard program;

• A three-year, 18-credit college preparatory program; and

• A three-year, 18-credit career preparatory program.

2. When does the new law offering 3 graduation options come into effect?

Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, each district school board must provide students in grades six through twelve the option to select one of the three available graduation options.

3. When must a student and his or her parents/guardians select the student’s graduation option?

Students in grades six through twelve and their parents/guardians must receive information regarding graduation options prior to the beginning of every school year during the spring subject selection and articulation process. For the 2004-05 school year, students and parents/guardians will make the graduation option selection during the month of July of 2004.

4. Will students and parents/guardians be given an opportunity to revisit their decision on a graduation option subsequent to the initial selection?

Yes, students and parents/guardians should make an initial selection during the student’s eighth grade year, prior to the beginning of the student’s first year of high school. Thereafter, each year, during the spring subject selection and articulation process, students and parents/guardians will have an opportunity to revisit the initial decision. For the 2004-05 school year, students and parents/guardians will make the graduation option selection during the month of July 2004.

5. What happens if a student and his or her parents/guardians do not select one of the three graduation options?

If the student and parents/guardians do not select a graduation option, the student is considered to have selected the four-year standard graduation program that requires a minimum of 24 credits to graduate.

6. How will the student and parent/guardian choice of a graduation option be documented?

The graduation option chosen by the student and parent/guardian will be documented on a form that requires the student and the parent/guardian to sign.

7. May high school credits earned before the 9th grade be counted toward the required credits for the 18- or 24-credit graduation options?

Yes. However, students and parents/guardians are reminded that high school credits earned before ninth grade and in adult education programs for acceleration are not counted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) toward a student’s NCAA eligibility. Student’s on the 18 credit track must be in high school for full three years regardless of the number of credits they have.

8. How will NCAA eligibility be impacted?

For information regarding athletic scholarship eligibility, students and parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the National Collegiate Athletic Association at www.ncaa.org or your school’s athletic director for more information.

9. Can a student in the 18-credit option graduate prior to the end of the eleventh grade?

No. Students must be enrolled in high school for a minimum of three years.

10. Will 12th grade students who are expected to graduate in 2005 be eligible to select one of the new  graduation options?

Yes. All students scheduled to graduate in 2004 and thereafter may select any of the three graduation options.

11. Can 12th grade students expected to graduate in 2005 choose one of the 18-credit options, meet the requirements, and graduate mid-year?

Yes. Students who complete the requirements for their chosen option mid-year may graduate as soon as they complete the requirements.

12. Is Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) obligated to hold graduation exercises at the end of the first semester?

No. MDCPS will recognize all students during the annual end-of-year graduation ceremonies.

13. In addition to completion of the 18 credits, what other requirements must students meet in order to graduate with a standard diploma?

In addition to completing the 18 credits that are required in the 18-credit option, a student must have passing scores on the 10th grade FCAT and a cumulative unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

14. Will a student who has chosen one of the 18-credit options and earned the required credits, but failed to pass one or both sections of the 10th grade FCAT and or maintained a cumulative unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, be given a Certificate of Completion?

No. A student who has not completed all requirements for the three-year options, including earning passing scores on the 10th grade FCAT and achieving the required grade point average, MUST meet the 24-credit option and will have to attend high school for a fourth year. The awarding of a Certificate of Completion is limited to students choosing the 24-credit option who have not earned passing scores on the 10th grade FCAT or maintained an unweighted 2.0 GPA.

15. Will students who default from an 18-credit option to a 24-credit option as a result of not earning a passing score on the FCAT or not meeting the unweighted 2.0 GPA have to take and pass the courses that are required in the 24-credit option?

Yes. Students, who fail to meet all graduation requirements for the 18-credit option, including passing the FCAT, in a three year period, will be required to pass those specific courses that are required of all 24-credit option students (e.g., Practical Arts/ Performing Arts, Life Management, Physical Education, Government and Economics).

16. Is it possible that students who default from the 18-credit to the 24-credit graduation option will not be able to take and pass all the required courses of the 24-credit option during their twelfth grade year?

Yes. For example, if a student has taken mathematics, science, and social science courses other than those required of 24-credit students, it could be impossible to take the required credits in one year and the student might have to enroll in adult education courses at night and/or Florida Virtual School course offerings in addition to attending the regular high school program during the day.

17. Will students who select one of the 18-credit options have to complete a community service project?

No. Students who opt for one of the 18-credit graduation options will not be required to complete a community service project. However, a community service requirement remains in effect for numerous colleges and scholarship eligibility.

18. Do IEP teams have the authority to waive the passing of the FCAT if the student is pursuing the 18-credit track?

No. IEP teams do not have the authority to waive passing the FCAT as a requirement for graduation with a standard diploma for students with disabilities pursuing the 18-credit graduation option.

19. Is there an 18-credit track for students with disabilities pursuing a special diploma?

No. There is no 18-credit track for students pursuing a special diploma. The 18-credit graduation options are only available for students pursuing a standard diploma.

20. Can students who choose one of the 18-credit options remain for a fourth year in order to continue eligibility to participate in high school athletics/activities after they have met the graduation requirements for their chosen option?

No. Once a student meets all graduation requirements, the student will not be able to participate in high school athletic/activities programs except the graduation ceremony, which will take place in June.

21. Will students who choose one of the 18-credit options be eligible to receive a Bright Futures scholarship?

Yes, if they meet all of the requirements for a Bright Futures scholarship.

22. Will students who choose one of the 18-credit options be eligible to participate in dual enrollment programs?

Yes, students will be able to take dual enrollment courses as long as the student is enrolled in high school and the courses taken in dual enrollment count towards completing the requirements for graduation.

23. Will students who choose one of the 18-credit options be eligible to participate in magnet programs, industry focus academies, and/or vocational/technical preparation programs?

It depends on the requirements of the specific program. There are certain programs that have requirements that would not be able to be met within the 18-credit options since state licensing regulations and or entities such as the International Baccalaureate organization set the program requirements. Staff from each of the individual programs will be able to explain the requirements of the program and the possibility of meeting these requirements in the 18-credit options.

24. Will students who have enrolled in the Florida Prepaid College plan be able to access these funds one semester/one year earlier than originally expected?

The Florida Prepaid College plan has not issued any new regulations after the passing of the legislation that establishes the two 18-credit graduation options. Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the Florida Prepaid College Board at 1-800-552-4723.

25. Can MDCPS establish regulations or restrictions on which students can exercise the new graduation options?

No. The selection of a graduation option is the exclusive right of the student and his or her parents/guardians. School-based Student Services staff members must use this opportunity to provide comprehensive information regarding the three graduation

options, the acceleration programs, and postsecondary options available to these students. This will enable students and parents/guardians to consider the educational benefits of each option and make the selection that most appropriately meets the post-secondary education or career plans for the student.